Disney’s Nightmare: ‘Captain America 4’ Pre-Sales Mirror Marvel’s Biggest Box Office Disasters
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seems to be grappling with an alarming trend: lackluster pre-ticket sales for the highly anticipated Captain America: Brave New World have evoked eerie parallels to one of Marvel’s most notorious box office failures, Eternals. The numbers are in, and they don’t paint a hopeful picture for the fourth Captain America installment.
A Harrowing Comparison: Brave New World vs. Eternals
Marvel fans will remember Eternals as a controversial chapter in MCU history. Despite boasting an ensemble cast and ambitious storytelling, the film stumbled to a $402 million global gross—a figure widely considered a failure when weighed against its hefty production and marketing costs. To date, there is no sign of a sequel for Eternals, cementing its status as a misstep for the franchise.
Now, Brave New World seems poised to follow a similar trajectory. Reports reveal that pre-ticket sales are nearly identical to those of Eternals, signaling potential trouble at the box office. Industry insiders have highlighted this alarming statistic, comparing the sparse seat selections in theaters to the grim prelude that accompanied Eternals‘ underwhelming debut.
Budget Woes and Production Struggles
Compounding the concern, Brave New World has been plagued by behind-the-scenes difficulties. Production woes, multiple reshoots, and an escalating budget now estimated at over $350 million have only added to the skepticism surrounding the film’s release. Comparatively, Eternals operated on a much leaner budget, further raising the stakes for Brave New World to deliver financially.
These extensive reshoots have raised eyebrows, with sources reporting that lead star Anthony Mackie was recently spotted filming new scenes in Los Angeles. While reshoots are common in blockbuster filmmaking, the scale and frequency of adjustments for Brave New World have sparked concerns about the film’s coherence and direction.
The Deadpool Factor: Can Marvel Regain Its Mojo?
The lackluster pre-sales numbers are even more glaring when juxtaposed with the success of last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine. That film demonstrated the enduring appeal of certain Marvel characters and raised expectations for the MCU’s 2024 offerings. However, Brave New World appears to lack the same buzz, trailing behind even Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in terms of pre-release performance.
Kinsey Townsend of MXDWN aptly captured the sentiment: “After 2024 saw the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, audiences are curious if the next Marvel film, in this case, Captain America, will find the same success. However, with tickets now on sale, the film is not doing as well as other Marvel movies.”
A Make-or-Break Moment for Marvel
The release of Captain America: Brave New World is less than a month away, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With Eternals serving as a cautionary tale, the performance of Brave New World will be a litmus test for Marvel’s ability to reclaim its dominance in a changing cinematic landscape.
Fans and industry observers alike are bracing for the opening weekend numbers, which will undoubtedly shape the narrative for both the film and Marvel Studios moving forward. Will Captain America’s legacy carry the film to success, or will it fall victim to the same pitfalls that plagued Eternals? As the countdown begins, Disney and Marvel face what might be their biggest challenge yet in the MCU’s storied history.