# Which superhero flick will bomb the worst this year? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 2, 2011, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931 "2011-04-02T11:22:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/101 "2011-04-05T05:14:00Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > As to which comic character is best known, hey, Green Lantern [got a name check in a pop song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuPbJLqFKI). Thor [got a day of the week](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday). ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/102 "2011-04-05T15:08:36Z")
I voted for Green Lantern since I think that watching a guy hit things with a hammer (and maybe blasting things with lightning) is more entertaining that watching a guy blast things with green energy (or hitting things with a green boxing glove or a green anvil, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/103 "2011-04-05T15:17:11Z")
Also, there are no good pub jokes that end with “You think _you’re_ Green Lantern, how do you think _I_ feel?” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/104 "2011-04-05T15:19:49Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I voted for Green Lantern since I think that watching a guy hit things with a hammer (and maybe blasting things with lightning) is more entertaining that watching a guy blast things with green energy (or hitting things with a green boxing glove or a green anvil, etc.). I thought so too, but the last trailer had him shooting things with a green minigun, so point Green Lantern. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/105 "2011-04-05T15:40:03Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Thor [got a day of the week](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursday). Now _that’s_ product placement. Stan Lee must have paid through the nose for that one. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/106 "2011-04-06T21:06:03Z")
Checking back in on this thread I must say I’m surprised that GL and Thor are so close. I thought for sure GL would run away with it due to name recognition and a poor trailer but Thor looks like the worst movie of the three. You guys were right though. I did forget X-men. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/107 "2011-05-29T12:03:31Z")
Well so far things are going differently than I predicted. Thor was positively reviewed and made alot of money. Most surprisingly Xmen is getting stellar reviews. Didn’t see that coming. Have to see how it does in theaters though. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/108 "2011-07-05T05:57:59Z")
Well, after being out for 18 days, _GL_ isn’t looking so hot. Here are its numbers so far (with the relative stats for _Thor_ & _X-Men: 1stC_ after their first 18 days) Days to reach $100M: _GL_: 17; _Thor_: 9; _XM/1stC_: 11 BO after 18 days: _GL_: $103.6M; _Thor_: 147M; _XM/1stC_: 121.8M Current 2011 Ranking: _GL_: 14 (likely to move up 3 more spaces); _Thor_: 5 (unlikely to move); _XM/1stC_: 9 (may move up one) Cap is next. Retro/period piece may distinguish it or make it a harder sell. And comic book fatigue may kick in (plus other heavy-hitters _Harry Potter_ & _Cowboys & Aliens_ to compete against). We’ll see… ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/109 "2011-07-05T09:40:47Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > Cap is next. Retro/period piece may distinguish it or make it a harder sell. Um … XMFC was set almost fifty years ago. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/110 "2011-07-05T11:58:12Z")
I saw the CPT. America trailer and was not impressed. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/111 "2011-07-05T12:16:12Z")
> [@devilsknew](#): > > I saw the CPT. America trailer and was not impressed. I remember seeing the trailer to The Phantom Menace and thinking it looked brilliant. ---
**Author:** ![devilsknew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4da419/32.png) [@devilsknew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/devilsknew)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/112 "2011-07-05T12:33:30Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I remember seeing the trailer to The Phantom Menace and thinking it looked brilliant. Touche’. ---
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/113 "2011-07-05T12:37:56Z")
> [@beartato](#): > > I thought the film did pretty well, considering the low expectations? Originally supposed to be a summer release in 2010, then pushed back multiple times, ended up opening in the January wasteland. Not exactly an all-star cast, not a well-known character, and terrible reviews. I mean, it didn’t do really _well_: Box Office Mojo has it with a budget of $120 million, pulling in $98 million domestically with worldwide total of $227 million. Not great, but nowhere near the flop many (myself included) thought it would be. Only good bit in that pile of crap was the Homage to Bruce ‘Kato’ Lee ---
**Author:** ![Hogfather65](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7bcc69/32.png) [@Hogfather65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hogfather65)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/114 "2011-07-05T12:44:53Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > Yes. Captain America may not have had a big budget movie yet, but the character is recognizable in a way that Wolverine isn’t. I’d argue that his costume and his name (not necessarily his origin story) are right up there with Batman and Superman. > > The Hulk has had two movies in the last ten years and was the star of the 70s TV show that played in syndication all throughout the 80s (making The Hulk the first superhero I was ever exposed to as a lad of four). > > Both are more prominent in the mainstream landscape than Wolverine (but I agree that he just misses the cut at #7 and is the highest second-tier character). Green Lantern wouldn’t even be in the discussion for me. Yes, he was in Superfriends and JLA/JLU, but he was second banana in both to Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Thus making him very clearly second-tier. CA has had ‘I think’ 3 previous TV movies so has a strong back story same as the Hulk with his TV show way back when… but if they do to CA what they did to the hulk - I will give it a miss thanks - big blob of CGI goo as the Hulk - no thanks - bring back Lou:D As for GL and Thor - both look as bad as each other - and I usually like a Super movie. as for the bigest Bomb - GL for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/115 "2011-07-05T14:39:31Z")
Looks like none of the superhero movies have really bombed in any objective sense of the word, so far. All appear to have made back their investments, with DVD sales still to come. Which means … more superhero movies. Which means … everybody but Wonder Woman will have a movie soon … (Heh. I know about that horrible Cathy Lee Crosby TV movie. Does not count!) ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/116 "2011-07-05T14:49:54Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Um … XMFC was set almost fifty years ago. True, but (a) that film is not part of the wager, and (b) there was very little about it–a few Cold War references & mini-skirts aside–that felt particularly “period”. It was set in the past but still had a fairly contemporary feel. I’m not getting that vibe at all from _CA_ (at least based on the trailer). ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/117 "2011-07-05T15:01:18Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > All appear to have made back their investments, with DVD sales still to come. How do you figure? IMDb estimates a budget of [$200 million](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1133985/business) for Green Lantern, and Box Office Mojo shows gross receipts of [$137 million](http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=greenlantern.htm) (worldwide) so far. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/118 "2011-07-05T15:10:52Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > True, but (a) that film is not part of the wager, and (b) there was very little about it–a few Cold War references & mini-skirts aside–that felt particularly “period”. It was set in the past but still had a fairly contemporary feel. It had Betty Draper in it! What else did you need?! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/119 "2011-07-05T15:37:37Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > True, but (a) that film is not part of the wager, and (b) there was very little about it–a few Cold War references & mini-skirts aside–that felt particularly “period”. It was set in the past but still had a fairly contemporary feel. I’m not getting that vibe at all from _CA_ (at least based on the trailer). Well, I’d say it falls under “Did I forget one?” A few cold war references? Did you see the film? ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931/120 "2011-07-05T15:46:13Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > Well, I’d say it falls under “Did I forget one?” > > A few cold war references? Did you see the film? Yes, I did, and yes, I recognize that the entire film had the Cuban Missile Crisis as its central plot point. But it still never felt like a period film to me (and you’d never have guessed it was a period film from the trailers or advertising). It all still felt very contemporary in its attitude and dialogue–as if the film was in a time warp as opposed to a convincing portrait of a different era. It wasn’t a bad film (nor a particularly good one, IMHO), but simply from the look and style, it was a modern looking film in its sensibilities (not just its technology). _Captain America_, from everything I’ve seen in the trailers and adverts, is decidedly not. It has a very intentional retro feel–it looks & plays (inevitably) like from another era, and that may have a big impact on how receptive audience members are to it (think _Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow_). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-superhero-flick-will-bomb-the-worst-this-year/576931.md?page=7)