2025 is already off to a greater begin on the field workplace than at this level in 2024. Late yr holdovers comparable to “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” have been doing big business at the box office. We additionally simply had our first new hit of the yr within the type of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (check out our interview with that film’s writer/director here). Sadly, it hasn’t been a celebration for everybody. Particularly, anybody who has even a dime invested within the Robbie Williams biopic “Higher Man” may in all probability use a drink, as that film is now a certifiable, huge flop.
For many who is probably not conscious of the movie, it is a musical biopic documenting the story of pop star Robbie Williams. The catch? Williams is portrayed by a CGI ape. Regardless of the wild hook, audiences have not appeared to care very a lot. “Higher Man” expanded into almost 1,300 screens this previous weekend and made simply over $1 million. It is a catastrophe for Paramount Footage, who picked up the home rights in North America, France, and Japan for $25 million. Although it’s technically a 2024 launch, the movie’s destiny was sealed after its home enlargement this yr.
That is simply the tip of the iceberg, although. The biopic, which was directed by Michael Gracey (“The Biggest Showman”), carries a reported $110 million funds. To make issues a lot, a lot worse, it already disenchanted within the UK, the place Williams is a a lot larger star. How dangerous is it? With simply $8.8 million abroad, the movie has earned a grand whole of $10 million worldwide. There may be just about no probability of a turnaround at this level and the assorted buyers will likely be left holding the bag — and an enormous bag, at that.
For what it is price, critics are on the movie’s facet. It at the moment holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes following its competition run final yr. /Movie’s Jacob Corridor noticed the movie at Unbelievable Fest and called “Better Man” an “unclassifiable swing, and one that I can’t help but admire” in his review.
Is Higher Man going to be one of many largest flops ever?
The movie is predicated on the true story of the rise, fall, and resurgence of British pop celebrity Robbie Williams. It is informed from Williams’ perspective, tracing his journey from childhood to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That by means of his comeback as a solo artist, all whereas showcasing the challenges that include fame. And sure, he is portrayed as a CGI ape.
It is robust to say who’s going to be bruised most badly right here. Sina Studios, Going through East Leisure, Rocket Science, Misplaced Bandits, and Footloose Productions had been all concerned, with numerous distributors buying rights all over the world. What’s clear is that “Higher Man” is just going to make again a fraction of its huge funds. It is now at severe threat of turning into one of many largest bombs of all time, with out hyperbole. That is to not say the film is dangerous, as plenty of box office bombs are great movies worth watching. It does imply, nevertheless, that some huge cash will likely be misplaced within the brief time period.
By way of comparisons, the film is in awful firm. Eddie Murphy’s “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” is arguably the biggest box office bomb in history, taking in a tragic $7 million towards a whopping $100 million funds. Because it stands, “Higher Man” is in comparable funds/field workplace territory. The biopic is just about cooked domestically. Barring a outstanding turnaround abroad, the outlook will not get higher.
So, what went mistaken right here? For one, fairly just a few People have by no means even heard of Robbie Williams, which makes it a troublesome promote. Musicals, save for animated musicals, even underneath one of the best of circumstances, are laborious to vogue into hits anyhow. “Depraved” and “Wonka” are extra exceptions than they’re the rule. In the long run, this was a fully baffling strategy to spend $110 million. I spoke a bit about this on at the moment’s episode of the /Movie Day by day podcast, which you’ll take heed to beneath:
“Higher Man” is in theaters now.
2025 is already off to a greater begin on the field workplace than at this level in 2024. Late yr holdovers comparable to “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” and Robert Eggers’ “Nosferatu” have been doing big business at the box office. We additionally simply had our first new hit of the yr within the type of “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (check out our interview with that film’s writer/director here). Sadly, it hasn’t been a celebration for everybody. Particularly, anybody who has even a dime invested within the Robbie Williams biopic “Higher Man” may in all probability use a drink, as that film is now a certifiable, huge flop.
For many who is probably not conscious of the movie, it is a musical biopic documenting the story of pop star Robbie Williams. The catch? Williams is portrayed by a CGI ape. Regardless of the wild hook, audiences have not appeared to care very a lot. “Higher Man” expanded into almost 1,300 screens this previous weekend and made simply over $1 million. It is a catastrophe for Paramount Footage, who picked up the home rights in North America, France, and Japan for $25 million. Although it’s technically a 2024 launch, the movie’s destiny was sealed after its home enlargement this yr.
That is simply the tip of the iceberg, although. The biopic, which was directed by Michael Gracey (“The Biggest Showman”), carries a reported $110 million funds. To make issues a lot, a lot worse, it already disenchanted within the UK, the place Williams is a a lot larger star. How dangerous is it? With simply $8.8 million abroad, the movie has earned a grand whole of $10 million worldwide. There may be just about no probability of a turnaround at this level and the assorted buyers will likely be left holding the bag — and an enormous bag, at that.
For what it is price, critics are on the movie’s facet. It at the moment holds an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes following its competition run final yr. /Movie’s Jacob Corridor noticed the movie at Unbelievable Fest and called “Better Man” an “unclassifiable swing, and one that I can’t help but admire” in his review.
Is Higher Man going to be one of many largest flops ever?
The movie is predicated on the true story of the rise, fall, and resurgence of British pop celebrity Robbie Williams. It is informed from Williams’ perspective, tracing his journey from childhood to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That by means of his comeback as a solo artist, all whereas showcasing the challenges that include fame. And sure, he is portrayed as a CGI ape.
It is robust to say who’s going to be bruised most badly right here. Sina Studios, Going through East Leisure, Rocket Science, Misplaced Bandits, and Footloose Productions had been all concerned, with numerous distributors buying rights all over the world. What’s clear is that “Higher Man” is just going to make again a fraction of its huge funds. It is now at severe threat of turning into one of many largest bombs of all time, with out hyperbole. That is to not say the film is dangerous, as plenty of box office bombs are great movies worth watching. It does imply, nevertheless, that some huge cash will likely be misplaced within the brief time period.
By way of comparisons, the film is in awful firm. Eddie Murphy’s “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” is arguably the biggest box office bomb in history, taking in a tragic $7 million towards a whopping $100 million funds. Because it stands, “Higher Man” is in comparable funds/field workplace territory. The biopic is just about cooked domestically. Barring a outstanding turnaround abroad, the outlook will not get higher.
So, what went mistaken right here? For one, fairly just a few People have by no means even heard of Robbie Williams, which makes it a troublesome promote. Musicals, save for animated musicals, even underneath one of the best of circumstances, are laborious to vogue into hits anyhow. “Depraved” and “Wonka” are extra exceptions than they’re the rule. In the long run, this was a fully baffling strategy to spend $110 million. I spoke a bit about this on at the moment’s episode of the /Movie Day by day podcast, which you’ll take heed to beneath:
“Higher Man” is in theaters now.
