After a disappointing run at the box office, Blue Beetle has finally set a date for debut on video-on-demand services as the theatrical run eyes the one-month mark. The film, which just barely cleared its production costs at the box office, faces some uncertainty surrounding its future under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new order.
Based on the DC character of the same name, Blue Beetle chronicles the origins of Jaime Reyes, the Beetle that succeeds Ted Kord in the comic continuity, as he is chosen by the Blue Beetle scarab after innocuously accepting possession of it from Jenny Kord, who steals the scarab to stop its utilization in her aunt’s One Man Army Corps project. From here, Jaime and his family help Jenny thwart her aunt’s sinister plans, losing and learning a lot along the way. While the film was on track to be another domestic box office flop for DC and Warner Bros Discovery early on, and its box office lived up to the disappointing expectations, Blue Beetle received positive reviews from moviegoers and critics.
Despite the initial disappointment, Blue Beetle’s box office is on track to surpass Shazam 2: Fury Of The Gods and is now gearing up to be released on video-on-demand stores like iTunes, Google Play, Vudu, and more, according to a report from WhenToStream. The film, which was originally intended to be released straight to streaming, is currently set to open for digital purchase on September 19th, about a month after its theatrical release. This duration is in line with the wait time for the earlier DC film The Flash, which was similarly underwhelming at the box office despite being promoted as the nexus point for the DCEU’s reboot.
It’s possible that Warner Bros. expects Blue Beetle to make up for its poor performance in theaters with VOD sales, similar to when The Flash found some semblance of a victory outside of cinemas. There is a possibility that this happens, as the generally positive reviews and the family-friendly nature of the film might actually lend itself better to digital sales and home media than the theatrical stage, which is in line with the original plan to launch the project exclusively on streaming platforms. Whatever happens, Blue Beetle’s meager box office at least holds the distinction of exceeding its relatively low production costs.
With Blue Beetle released and heading to VOD soon, the only vestige of the DCEU left is the upcoming sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which has already secured one negative record for Warner Bros and DC months ahead of its actual premiere. The theatrical break between its release and the planned 2025 premiere of Superman: Legacy and the rest of the new DCU might be just what the studio needs to reverse its fortunes.
Blue Beetle is currently available for viewing in theaters.
Source: WhenToStream