George Clooney, the once-caped crusader in the notorious 1997 film “Batman & Robin,” recently shattered any lingering hopes of a reprisal, humorously dismissing the idea during a recent Entertainment Tonight interview. Despite a surprise cameo in “The Flash,” Clooney asserted, “I do not think there’s enough drugs in the world for me to go back.”
“The Flash,” starring Ezra Miller, finds itself caught in a storm of critical failure and box office disappointment. A staggering 72% drop in revenue during its second weekend left the film struggling to recover. The superhero film fell far short of industry expectations with a lackluster $55 million opening weekend domestically and a meager $15.2 million in the second week. Cameos by George Clooney and others didn’t help the box office take. This underwhelming performance is further underscored by a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score, indicative of a lukewarm reception.
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The film’s international performance failed to compensate for its domestic shortcomings. The-Numbers report that, despite adding 22 more theaters in its second weekend, the per-theater gross declined from $13,000 to $3,587. Box office tracking predictions proved optimistic, with Box Office Pro anticipating a 69% drop and The-Numbers predicting a 59% decline—both figures proving overly hopeful.
Comparing “The Flash” to its DCEU counterparts, the film currently ranks among the lowest grossing, only outperforming “Birds of Prey,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Wonder Woman 1984,” and “Shazam! Fury of the Gods.” OMB Reviews forecasts a total gross between $300 million to $400 million, suggesting a potential loss of $150 million for the beleaguered production.
Adding to the industry woes, George Clooney’s latest directorial venture, “The Boys in the Boat,” faces its own set of challenges. Despite boasting a star-studded cast and adapting Daniel James Brown’s acclaimed book, the film garnered a disappointing 48% Rotten Tomatoes score. Critics, while acknowledging its feel-good nature, pointed to “predictable plot points” and an “underwhelming ending.”
In Clooney’s ninth directorial credit, “The Boys in the Boat” appears to have fallen short of expectations, with reviews questioning the director’s ability to bring depth to the narrative. Critics labeled it either “autopilot Clooney” or an experience that oscillates between frustration and boredom.
As “The Flash” grapples with dwindling box office figures and George Clooney navigates the choppy waters of critical reviews for his latest directorial effort, the possibility of Clooney’s return as Batman remains firmly in the realm of jest. Audiences are left contemplating the uncertain fate of both the iconic superhero and the esteemed director in the wake of these recent setbacks.
What are your thoughts on George Clooney claiming he won’t return to the Batman role in the DC Universe? Share your comments below and join the conversation.
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Come on Clooney, put the suit back on. Just one more time. Batnipples and all. lol