Marvel Faces Box Office Struggles: ‘Deadpool’ Creator Calls for Change as ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Sees Massive Drop
3 min read
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is facing another box office challenge as Captain America: Brave New World suffered a staggering 68% drop in its second weekend. This marks one of the sharpest declines in MCU history, following in the footsteps of The Marvels (78% drop) and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (69% drop). Industry experts and fans alike are questioning the franchise’s direction, and even Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld has weighed in with a bold statement.
Rob Liefeld Calls Out Kevin Feige: “Get Off the Mound”
Rob Liefeld, the creator of Deadpool, took to X (formerly Twitter) to share his unfiltered thoughts, stating: “Get [Kevin] Feige off the mound. He’s spent.” Liefeld’s comment suggests that the longtime Marvel Studios president might be losing his touch after years of dominating the superhero movie landscape.
This isn’t the first time Liefeld has expressed discontent with Marvel. Earlier this month, he announced he was cutting ties with the company after feeling slighted when he and his family weren’t invited to Disney’s afterparty for the Deadpool & Wolverine premiere. On his podcast, he described the exclusion as an intentional move to “embarrass, diminish, and defeat” him. His frustrations extend beyond personal grievances—he has also criticized what he perceives as Marvel’s declining respect for creators and their contributions.
The Numbers Behind Captain America: Brave New World’s Box Office Plunge
Despite an initially strong $100 million opening over the President’s Day holiday weekend, negative reviews and lukewarm audience reception led to the significant 68% decline in its second weekend. While this drop aligns with films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder, both of those 2022 releases had significantly larger debuts.
With a reported budget exceeding $180 million before marketing, Brave New World has so far amassed $289.4 million worldwide—a figure that raises concerns about the sustainability of Marvel’s once-unshakable blockbuster formula.
Industry Experts Weigh In: Is This the New Normal for Marvel?
Paul Dergarabedian, a senior analyst at Comscore, believes this steep drop could be indicative of a shifting trend in audience engagement. “There’s still no denying these movies have appeal, and Captain America: Brave New World will likely hold its spot at the box office for another week,” he told Variety. “But a second-weekend drop of 68% suggests waning enthusiasm from audiences.”
However, not all recent Marvel films have struggled. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 saw a far healthier 47% drop in its second weekend after debuting with $118 million. Meanwhile, Deadpool & Wolverine shattered expectations, opening to $211 million and only dipping by 53% in its second weekend, proving that Marvel films can still thrive under the right circumstances.
What’s Next for the MCU?
The recent struggles of Marvel’s latest releases signal a potential shift in audience expectations. Once synonymous with box office dominance, the franchise now faces the challenge of reigniting fan enthusiasm. With upcoming projects like Avengers: Secret Wars and Fantastic Four, Marvel will need to prove that it can still deliver compelling, high-quality storytelling that resonates with audiences worldwide.
As the industry evolves, the question remains: Can Marvel recapture the magic that made it a box office juggernaut, or is this the beginning of a new era where superhero fatigue takes center stage?
About The Author
