For Superman, sequels are kryptonite
This summer's big tentpole from DC's rival, Marvel Studios, 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps,' is proof enough that while DC has struggled to match Marvel's success building a multifilm series spotlighting even its C- and D-list superheroes, Marvel's page-to-screen track record is far from what a comic book collector would call mint. The Pedro Pascal- and Vanessa Kirby-starring 'First Steps,' which opened Thursday, is the fourth attempt to launch a Fantastic Four movie franchise since 1994.
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USA Today
40 minutes ago
- USA Today
Superman and the American flag once stood for same things. MAGA changed that.
Is the new 'Superman' movie political? Should it be? USA TODAY readers gave us their takes in our latest Opinion Forum. The latest news about the "Superman" movie is focused on box-office heroics, with more than $300 million in U.S. ticket sales since its July 11 release. But those big receipts have not completely eclipsed the controversy swirling around the DC Comics-inspired film that started after director James Gunn announced "Superman" was about immigration and empathy. In a July 4 Times of London story, Gunn said that "Superman is the story of America, an immigrant that came from other places and populated the country, but for me it is mostly a story that says basic human kindness is a value and is something we have lost.' The director's description was pure kryptonite to some, bringing howls over the politicization of an American icon in which the Man of Steel was turned in a woke undocumented immigrant. Others, though, nodded along with Gunn. To get a better sense of Superman's approval ratings, we went to USA TODAY readers, asking them for their take on the movie. Was "Superman" woke? And is that a good or a bad thing? And what about entertainment in general – has it become too political? Unsurprisingly, the responses were varied, nuanced and pointed. You can read them below as part of our latest Opinion Forum. 'Superman' woke? A little. But 'Snow White' ... I did see the new "Superman" movie, and I enjoyed it. In terms of whether it was "woke," I'd say yes, but it is really light compared with other movies. The movie is built on the traditional themes of Superman, which is truth, justice and the American way. I think the problem we have in the U.S. today is that the symbolism behind Old Glory used to apply to everyone equally. Immigration reflected this. Old Glory and Superman stood for the same things. But the red, white and blue is so strongly branded now with MAGA and conservatives, and they have such a strong RINO mindset about "you are with us or against us," that any criticism of their tenets gets labeled as woke. (Plus pulling the woke card gets more internet clicks.) Good storytelling can be political, but it has to be good storytelling. I think the root issue is "Superman" is a good movie and the receipts show this. Plus the political elements are relatable. "Snow White" in contrast was not a great movie. The leads were miscast. It's difficult to make Gal Gadot the evil one and less "beautiful one." And while I'd happily watch Rachel Zegler in most movies, it felt like Disney was trying to make a point all the way through the movie with her casting. Your Turn: Republicans, Democrats are held captive by extremes. Americans need a new party. | Opinion Forum As for whether entertainment is too political, I'm going to reverse that question: I think politics has become too performative. As a general rule, good quality politics − administrative and legislative − should be mostly boring. We are going through a period of dramatic change − generational change, transfers of wealth, technology and even our place in the world. I think we are in for excitement whether we like it or not. In general, the definition of woke is evolving. Today I would say it is partly a cancel culture tool for pundits on the right, and partly when left-leaning institutions with power (universities, media, etc.) do something to force adoption of their beliefs on everyone, e.g., many recent Disney movies. — Erin-Todd Hansen, Boise, Idaho Art is always political I haven't seen "Superman," but I'm planning to. I'm sure the movie is political. Art is always political. "Casablanca" is anti-fascist. "Gone with the Wind" is pre-lost cause ideology. "Star Wars" is anti-authoritarian. "Othello" is anti-racist. Hallmark movies are tacitly anti-feminist. Every work of art reflects the artist's worldview. It's stupid to think art is neutral. And I don't think other forms of entertainment are too political. We want your perspective: Are you concerned about starvation in Gaza? Should US do more to help? Tell us. | Opinion Forum As for the meaning of woke, it originally meant to be conscious of systemic racism. Now it's been coopted by conservatives to mean whatever they don't like. — Kim Akins, Columbus, Ohio Tired of forced woke movie characters I haven't seen the new "Superman" movie, and I don't plan to. I'm tired of the forced woke characters in movies. The constant emphasis on characters' sexual orientation that has nothing to do with the movie plot is boring and off-putting. Lyrics in rap songs are disgusting. If they were said in any other forum, the singer would be booed off the stage. Share your opinion: Trump wants Washington Commanders to revert to old name. Should they? | Opinion Forum Woke means an emphasis on sexual orientation rather than who the individual is. It's negative because it stereotypes the individual. People should be judged by who they are, not what they are. — Tim Walton, Brooksville, Florida Woke means caring for people, as Superman does I saw "Superman" and enjoyed it. Of course I think it was woke − like that's a bad thing? What's wrong with actually caring about people? Woke is caring and respect for ALL. It's positive. If people are triggered by compassion and respect for others, it's time for them to look in the mirror and ask why they enjoy hatred. What are they afraid of? Do you want to take part in our next Forum? Join the conversation by emailing forum@ You can also follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and sign up for our Opinion newsletter to stay updated on future Forum posts. I find it a loaded question to ask someone if entertainment is too political. It seems to have the intent of gathering answers from those who are triggered by entertainment that doesn't fit their personal political bent. There's plenty of choices, so don't watch what upsets you. I believe that if people believe a show is too political, it's usually because it doesn't fit their own biases. — Deborah Tretter, Rochester, New York Is Superman illegal? They broke the story line. I watched the move and enjoyed it. Superman has never been politically motivated! Let's stop the woke stuff and just say it was a great movie, except that disappointing political stunt. Illegal is illegal. I wasn't aware that Superman was ever told he was here illegally before in any comic book. They broke the story line. I do sometimes think entertainment has become too political. I think people should have a right to their opinions, and if asked, they should share them. The problem is that people don't respect others' opinions. Woke, in my opinion, is a word made up by the media to get attention. It's a horrible word that causes hate and discontent. It divides our country. — Patrick Andrews, Jasper, Indiana You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Fantastic Four' wins big with $40 million, while ‘Bad Guys 2' steals second from ‘Naked Gun' in box-office shake-up
Update Aug. 3, 2025: Marvel's Fantastic Four: First Steps is running circles around its competition at the box office. The superhero reboot continued its box-office dominance in its second weekend, bringing in $40 million for a solid hold at number one. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film has now amassed nearly $200 million domestically and further cements Marvel's ability to pull audiences into its deep roster of characters. While industry insiders had initially projected $45 million over the Aug. 1–3 weekend, the actual figure remains impressive, showcasing robust audience engagement even in its sophomore frame. It was a different story in the battle for second place. Universal's The Bad Guys 2 lived up to expectations and managed to leap over Paramount's The Naked Gun, settling into the number two spot with a solid $22 million. Early projections suggested the animated caper might trail slightly behind Liam Neeson's slapstick reboot, but family audiences appear to be driving strong returns thanks to positive word-of-mouth. While $22 million is slightly lower than its predecessor's opening weekend in 2022, the sequel shows potential to enjoy steady legs in the quieter weeks ahead. More from Gold Derby '28 Years Later,' Chappell Roan, and 'Final Destination': Everything to check out this weekend (Aug. 1-3) Jimmy Kimmel campaigns for Stephen Colbert via Emmys billboard: "I'm voting for Stephen" Meanwhile, The Naked Gun stumbled out of the gate, debuting in third place with $17 million — below its $25 million projection and well short of its franchise-best aspirations. Despite promising reviews (including a 92 percent Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes), audiences seemed less enthused about revisiting Police Squad's antics. Whether this underperformance reflects a disconnect between nostalgia-driven marketing and modern audience expectations remains to be seen. Paramount will be banking on overseas markets to help bolster its global total. Elsewhere, longtime holdovers Superman and Jurassic World Rebirth rounded out the top five with $13.9 million and $8.7 million, respectively. For Superman, that figure pushes its domestic tally past $300 million, making it one of the biggest hits of the summer. Meanwhile, Universal's dinosaur epic continues to claw its way upward, but its fifth-weekend drop suggests its theatrical run may be entering its twilight. In limited release, Neon's Together, starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, delivered a solid debut with $6.8 million. The supernatural body-horror film achieved this figure while screening in limited markets nationwide, indicating strong audience interest and setting it up for wider expansion in the weeks ahead. Original story published Aug. 1, 2025: The Marvel universe is still flexing its muscles this weekend as Disney's The Fantastic Four: First Steps powers through its second weekend at the box office. Directed by Matt Shakman, the reboot of Marvel's First Family is projected to earn $45 million over the Aug. 1–3 weekend — securing the top spot and extending the studio's box-office reign. But the real showdown this weekend isn't for first place — it's for second. Paramount's slapstick reboot The Naked Gun and Universal's animated sequel The Bad Guys 2 are neck-and-neck in what's shaping up to be one of the most competitive matchups of the summer. According to the latest projections, The Naked Gun is currently edging out its animated rival with a projected $25 million debut, marking the best opening ever for the franchise. For comparison, the original 1988 movie brought in $9 million during its opening weekend, while The Naked Gun 2 1/2 debuted with $20 million in 1991, and Naked Gun 33 1/3 opened to $13 million in 1994. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, The Naked Gun stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the bumbling son of the original franchise's iconic lead, Leslie Nielsen. He's joined by a supporting cast that includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston. With a certified fresh 92 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the reboot has impressed critics and looks set to win over fans as well. Meanwhile, The Bad Guys 2, the follow-up to 2022's sleeper hit, is projected to bring in around $22 million, landing it in third place for the weekend. While still a solid showing, this number falls short of earlier tracking, which had the film opening in the $26 million to $35 million range. The original Bad Guys debuted with $23.95 million before going on to earn a strong $97.5 million domestically. While the sequel's lower-than-expected start may raise eyebrows, strong word-of-mouth and limited competition for family audiences could fuel its legs in the weeks ahead. Rounding out the top five are two summer holdovers: Superman, which is expected to bring in about $15 million over the weekend and cross the $300 million domestic milestone, and Jurassic World Rebirth, projected to earn around $8 million in its fifth weekend of release. Outside the top five, Together — a supernatural body-horror thriller starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie — will debut in limited theaters this weekend. Distributed by Neon and backed by Sundance buzz — including a 91 percent Rotten Tomatoes score — the film is expected to open in higher single digits over the weekend. The debut positions Together as a low‑key counter-programming alternative to the summer's big tentpoles. NEW RELEASES Director: Akiva SchafferDistributor: Paramount PicturesOnly one man has the particular set of skills - to lead Police Squad and save the world. The action-comedy has a running time of one hour, 25 minutes, and is rated PG-13. The Naked Gun is certified "fresh" with a 92 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; "generally favorable" reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 78 percent. Director: Pierre Perifel and JP SansDistributor: Universal PicturesThe Bad Guys are struggling to find trust and acceptance in their newly minted lives as Good Guys, when they are pulled out of retirement and forced to do "one last job" by an all-female squad of criminals. The animated family flick has a running time of one hour, 44 minutes, and is rated PG. The Bad Guys 2 is certified "fresh" with an 87 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; "generally favorable" reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 64 percent. Director: Michael ShanksDistributor: NeonYears into their relationship, Tim and Millie find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country. With tensions already flaring, an encounter with an unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh. The horror movie has a running time of one hour, 42 minutes, and is rated R. Together is certified "fresh" with a 91 percent score per the aggregated critic reviews at Rotten Tomatoes; "generally favorable" reviews compiled by Metacritic resulted in an overall score of 76 percent. Here are Gold Derby's predicted box-office rankings for the top five: 1. The Fantastic Four: First Steps2. The Naked Gun3. The Bad Guys 24. Superman5. Jurassic World Rebirth Do you agree or disagree with those rankings? — it's fun and easy! Best of Gold Derby Everything to know about 'The Batman 2': Returning cast, script finalized Tom Cruise movies: 17 greatest films ranked worst to best 'It was wonderful to be on that ride': Christian Slater talks his beloved roles, from cult classics ('Heathers,' 'True Romance') to TV hits ('Mr. Robot,' 'Dexter: Original Sin') Click here to read the full article. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tom Holland Teases New Suit in Spider-Man: Brand New Day First Look
Originally appeared on E! Online Spider-Man is coming home. Indeed, shared a first look at his new movie Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Instagram August 2 alongside the caption, 'Are you ready?' And while the clip—which sees the British actor warming up by a doorway before approaching the camera to ask someone offscreen, 'Are we ready?'—is very short, fans did notice a major detail: Tom's new Spider-Man costume. The new suit shows a larger spider on his chest compared to costume he wore in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Far From Home and No Way Home. In fact, it seems to bear a closer resemblance to the suits worn by and in their respective Spider-Man films. The 29-year-old, who first suited up as a superhero in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, will be starring in the new film alongside fiancée , who will be reprising her role as MJ Watson. More from E! Online Natasha Richardson's Sister Reacts to Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson's Sweet Photos Tom Selleck, 80, Looks Unrecognizable During Rare Outing Without Signature Mustache Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz Beckham Renew Vows Amid Family Rift Beyond their undeniable onscreen chemistry, the couple—who announced their engagement when Zendaya debuted her eye-catching ring at the 2025 Golden Globes—has been sharing an occasional glimpse into their real-life romance. "My MJ, have the happiest of birthdays," Tom wrote on Instagram in 2021 alongside a photo of Zendaya resting on his shoulder while he sported the iconic Spider-Man outfit. "Gimme a call when your [sic] up, xxx." And if that wasn't enough to make your heart burst, the Disney Channel alum responded, writing, "Calling now," along with a red heart emoji. But for the most part, Tom, 29, and Zendaya, 28, prefer to keep their sweet bond out of the spotlight. In fact, they only went public with their relationship because they were forced to do so after the paparazzi photographed them kissing in a car in July 2021. 'One of the downsides of our fame is that privacy isn't really in our control anymore,' Tom told GQ in a November 2021 cover story. 'A moment that you think is between two people that love each other very much is now a moment that is shared with the entire world.' 'I've always been really adamant to keep my private life private, because I share so much of my life with the world anyway,' he added. 'We sort of felt robbed of our privacy.' To further marvel at Tom and Zendaya's sweet romance, keep reading… July 2016: Comic-Con FunMay 2017: MTV Movie & TV AwardsJune 2017: Promoting in SpainJune 2019: Par-taySeptember 2021: Birthday ShoutoutDecember 2021: Back to LondonDecember 2021: Promoting Spider-Man: No Way HomeDecember 2021: Spider-Man: No Way Home Premiere in 2021: Celebrating a Dream FulfilledFebruary 2022: Taking in a New York MinuteJune 2023: Tom's 27th BirthdayJune 2023: Tom's "Sexiest" Pic EverMarch 2024: Acing a Tennis DateApril 2024: All SmilesMay 2024: In Fair VeronaOctober 2024: Bero Launch PartyNovember 2024: Low Key Date Night For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Solve the daily Crossword
