DC Studios’ “Clayface,” an R-rated body-horror take on a Batman villain, opens Friday with a forecast of $25 million to $30 million at the U.S. box office, according to Boxoffice Pro. But it will have to share the weekend with an unexpected hit: an A24 documentary about Elizabeth Holmes that has been selling out theaters.
The weekend gives a first look at whether James Gunn’s DC universe can recover after a rough summer.
The movie DC needs to work
Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen, a rising actor whose face is ruined in an attack. He turns to a scientist, played by Naomi Ackie, for an experimental treatment. The film cost a reported $40 million to make, with about $30 million more for marketing, which is far less than a typical superhero movie.
DC has reason for worry. “Supergirl” opened to $38 million in June, a small fraction of the $125 million “Superman” made on its opening weekend last year. Early ticket-sales reports on “Clayface” were also weak. One tracker said pre-sales were far behind both “Supergirl” and the horror hit “Resident Evil,” and early projections floated a debut under $20 million. The newer Boxoffice Pro forecast is more optimistic. “Clayface” is the last DC movie until “Man of Tomorrow” arrives next July.
The documentary nobody saw coming
A24’s “You Can See Everything,” in which comedian Nathan Fielder spends time living with Elizabeth Holmes, the disgraced founder of Theranos, opened to $15.6 million from just 855 screens. More than 2,000 showings sold out nationwide, and about 70% of the audience was under 35. Boxoffice Pro expects another $15 million to $20 million this weekend.
Other movies in the mix
“Street Fighter” opened last weekend to $30.77 million from 3,575 screens, and Boxoffice Pro sees it earning $8 million to $13 million in its second weekend. The family film “Wildwood,” also new this weekend, is tracking at $10 million to $15 million.
Why the studio behind it matters
DC is part of Warner Bros., which is now under Skydance-owned Paramount after its purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery, a change that also touches CNN, which we covered in our report on Christiane Amanpour’s exit.
Forecasts often move after opening-night numbers arrive, so final totals could land above or below these ranges. Official weekend results are due Sunday.
