Warner Bros. and DC Films Aquaman will have to face a lot of competition with other big-budget films like Disney’s Mary Poppins Returns, Transformers spin-off Bumblebee and the Will Ferrell comedy Holmes and Watson when it releases in theaters next month before the Christmas Eve.
During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, when Aquaman director James Wan was asked about his film competing with Mary Poppins Returns in their shared pre-Christmas release window, he replied that he is nervous about it.
“For sure, I think I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried,” Wan said.
But the fact that Aquaman is releasing in time for the Christmas holidays when moviegoers have extra free time to watch more than one film at the same time, goes in favor of the film. He gave an example of how Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle fared quite well in comparison to Star Wars: The Last Jedi which was released during the same time frame. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle eventually grossed nearly $1 billion at the global box office.
“But generally around the holidays, there’s a lot to go around — which was pointed out to us when Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle opened on top of each other,” Wan added. “You see how well Jumanji played. I don’t mind being the underdog. Aquaman has always been the underdog and I’m happy to continue that narrative.”
The early reactions for Aquaman, which began pouring in as soon as the social media embargo was lifted on preview screenings, hail the film as one big adventure flick with breathtaking action sequences. The film is speculated to earn $100 million-plus during its opening weekend at the domestic box office, reported The Wrap.
Aquaman starring Jason Momoa as the DC underwater superhero, will be released in theaters on December 21, 2018.
