Robert Downey Jr. and Ryan Gosling are two examples of actors who faced challenges in their careers and were once considered “box office poison,” meaning their films did not perform well at the box office. However, both actors managed to turn their fortunes around and became successful movie stars.
On May 4, 1938, the Manhattan Independent Theatre Owners Association, Inc. published an advertisement in “The Hollywood Reporter,” pleading with film producers to stop casting certain actors who they believed were box office disasters. The ad bore the attention-grabbing headline “WAKE UP,” and included a stern warning against popular actors like Mae West, Joan Crawford, Fred Astaire, and Katherine Hepburn.
At that point in time, these stars, who are now renowned as Hollywood icons, were either nearing the end of their acting careers (in the case of West) or experiencing a slump in box office success (as with Hepburn). The intention behind the ad wasn’t malicious; the theater owners genuinely believed that their businesses were struggling and sought to rejuvenate the film industry. (It seems some challenges persist.)
There’s a great deal of complexity when it comes to identifying an ” box office curse.” For certain actors, this is a persistent predicament – their films consistently underperform financially. But for others, this status is transient. Through a series of successful projects or a defining role (or both), they transform from being financial risks to box office attractions – and sometimes revert back. The limelight of fame can be elusive, and audiences can be capricious. However, these movie stars once faced rejection and were considered box office disappointments before eventually regaining their popularity as reliable crowd-pullers. Perhaps they’ll even join the ranks of legendary figures like Crawford and Hepburn, but regardless of their eventual outcome, they overcame skepticism and shed the “box office poison” label to reclaim their place in the spotlight as authentic stars once more.
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Deadpool in the films has amassed over $1.5 billion in global box office revenue to date, making it not only the most profitable entry in the X-Men series but also one of the highest-grossing R-rated movie franchises ever. Reynolds’ witty banter and charisma as Deadpool have become almost indistinguishable from the character himself, leaving us pondering where the actor ends and Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, begins. However, it is unlikely that Reynolds possesses the real-life skills of a Special Forces-trained mercenary with mutant regenerative abilities.
Despite the fact that Reynolds’ self-assured wit might have hindered him from achieving superstardom during the initial 18 years of his career, it is also the same trait that eventually propelled him to success. Prior to “Deadpool,” Reynolds had mainly appeared as a supporting actor in films with established stars such as Sandra Bullock in “The Proposal” and Denzel Washington in “Safe House.” When he attempted to carry movies on his own, the results were disastrous, leaving behind a trail of box office flops including “Green Lantern” and “R.I.P.D.” Reynolds’ career was shaping up to be a disappointment until the unexpected success of “Deadpool,” which grossed $781 million worldwide. However, it wasn’t just “Deadpool” that changed the game for Reynolds; he has since proven himself to be a bankable actor on his own with films like “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu,” and “Free Guy.”
Vin Diesel
Throughout his career, Vin Diesel has alternated between being considered a box office flop and a bankable movie star. For instance, after making a strong debut in Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” (1998), he experienced a series of three consecutive underperforming films. However, Diesel’s fortunes changed with the success of “The Fast and The Furious” (2001) and “xXx” (2002), which solidified his status as a leading action movie star. Surprisingly, Diesel showed reluctance towards continuing in the action genre, turning down offers for sequels to both “The Fast and The Furious” and “xXx.” While it’s admirable that he pursued passion projects like “The Chronicles of Riddick” (2004) and “Babylon A.D.” (2008), the results were not as successful.
In the cinematic landscape, Diesel achieved notable success with the 2005 family film “The Pacifier.” However, following this hit, his subsequent projects failed to resonate with audiences. It wasn’t until he reclaimed both the on-screen and producer roles for the “Fast and Furious” franchise in 2009 with “Fast & Furious,” that Diesel found himself back in the driver’s seat of a lucrative career. Since then, he has continued to excel as Dominic Toretto within this series, contributing significantly to its massive box office success. Additionally, Diesel reprised his role as Xander Cage in “xXx: Return of Xander Cage” in 2017. Furthermore, by lending his voice talent to Groot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Diesel has found another lucrative avenue, earning millions with just a few words – “I am Groot.”
Johnny Depp
As a dedicated fan of Johnny Depp’s illustrious acting career, I’ve witnessed its ups and downs resemble the turbulent waters more than the calm sailing aboard the Black Pearl. Following the disappointing performance of “The Lone Ranger” in 2012, which raked in a mere $260 million at the box office for Disney, it seemed Depp’s star was on a steady decline.
Depping the accolades, Johnny Depp has largely forged his own way in Hollywood, securing memorable roles in films such as “Edward Scissorhands,” “Ed Wood,” “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” Notably, before the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, Depp’s acting endeavors didn’t generate significant financial success. The sole production surpassing $100 million globally with him as the lead actor was Tim Burton’s “Sleepy Hollow,” which grossed $207 million in 1999.
With his lackluster track record, it seemed daring to choose Depp for a major production, especially one centered around pirates, a genre notorious for its unpredictability. Surprisingly, Depp proved to be a cost-effective choice. “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” raked in an impressive $654 million globally in 2003. This substantial sum was overshadowed by the sequel, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” which was released in 2006 and amassed even more revenue. Captain Jack Sparrow guided Depp away from his days as a box office liability – with the assistance of the billion-dollar-plus earning “Alice in Wonderland” in 2010. However, his involvement with the “Pirates” franchise appears to have come to an end following his recent personal controversies.
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson gained the title of “box office reviver” by breathing new life into underperforming film franchises such as “The Fast and The Furious,” “Jumanji,” “G.I. Joe,” and “Journey To The Center of the Earth.” However, before his cinematic success, Johnson’s box office performance was lackluster.
Johnson’s cinematic journey began in an impressive manner with a pivotal part in “The Mummy Returns” (2001), which raked in a massive $435 million globally. Subsequently, he headlined his second film, the spinoff “The Scorpion King.” Although it didn’t match its predecessor’s success, its $165 million earnings represented a commendable debut for a leading man, making Johnson the highest-paid newcomer in the industry at that time.
The law of gravity applies to everyone, including Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s acting career. With audiences favoring brooding anti-heroes over his traditional action hero persona, Johnson found himself in a string of less successful films such as “Walking Tall,” “Faster,” “The Tooth Fairy,” and “Race to Witch Mountain.” A shift was necessary. Johnson secured new representation and got back into shape, regaining his status as a top-tier action star through supporting roles in the “Fast and Furious” series and leading parts in “San Andreas,” “Rampage,” and “Skyscraper.” Despite the disappointing box office of “Black Adam” in 2022, Johnson has demonstrated resilience as a bankable movie star with major blockbusters and less successful projects.
Christian Bale
Before Christopher Nolan chose him for the role of Batman in “Batman Begins” in 2005, Christian Bale was hardly recognized as a movie star. His acting portfolio before Bruce Wayne consisted mainly of disappointing performances and box office failures.
In his career, Bale’s most notable roles were portraying Thomas in “Pocahontas” (1995) and the sneering sidekick in “Shaft” (2000). His performance as Patrick Bateman in “American Psycho” (2000), which is now considered his breakthrough role, was a box office failure with a worldwide gross of only $34 million. This paled in comparison to the amount Bateman carried in his wallet. Bale’s lack of success led him to be the only child “star” who flopped in Steven Spielberg’s films – “Empire of the Sun” (1987) and Disney’s musical “Newsies” (1992). Both productions underperformed critically and financially.
Despite a relatively modest opening of $48 million for “Batman Begins” in 2005, the film ultimately proved to be a success, raking in a total of $356 million globally. This strong performance laid the groundwork for lucrative sequels like “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises.” Christian Bale’s portrayal of Batman catapulted him into A-list status, making him a bankable star whose name could secure funding for future projects. However, his penchant for taking on less mainstream roles may prevent him from achieving the same level of box office success as stars like Tom Cruise or Sandra Bullock. Nonetheless, Bale continues to deliver impressive performances in grown-up films that have enjoyed significant commercial success, such as “The Big Short,” “American Hustle,” and “Ford v Ferrari.”
Margot Robbie
As a dedicated gamer of the entertainment industry, I can tell you from experience that in Tinseltown, image is everything. Once you’ve amassed a less-than-desirable label within the critical circle or even among industry insiders – like being tagged as “box office poison” – it can linger, regardless of its justification. Sadly, this was the fate that befall Margot Robbie. The New York Post put it bluntly: “She’s an exceptional actress, beyond a doubt. But she seems to gravitate towards box office duds, like flies to rotting meat.”
The reality is more complex. While Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn significantly contributed to the $745 million box office success of “Suicide Squad” in 2016, her subsequent performances as the character failed to bring in similar numbers. Her roles in films headlined by Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith were successful mainly due to their star power, whereas her solo projects underperformed. However, she was unfairly blamed for the flops “Babylon” and “Amsterdam,” despite being just one member of an ensemble cast. It’s debatable whether Robbie qualifies as true box office poison, but perhaps a milder form?
Despite previous performances, the 2023 “Barbie” film shattered expectations with a stunning $151 million opening and an impressive $636 million domestic box office, along with a global revenue of $1.4 billion. Her earlier achievements might have been debatable, but there’s no question now that she’s as valuable as that iconic plastic doll.
Ben Affleck
Is it possible for Ben Affleck to be a reliable box office draw and a financial disappointment for movies simultaneously? The answer is yes, as evidenced by Affleck’s impressive $6.3 billion global earnings and the existence of box office successes like “Good Will Hunting” alongside less successful films such as “Reindeer Games” and “Changing Lanes.” After the critical and commercial triumph of “Good Will Hunting,” Hollywood attempted to establish Affleck as a leading man. However, while some films like “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor” brought in significant revenue, others left audiences puzzled and raised questions about Affleck’s judgment in film projects.
After experiencing a major setback on the “Bennifer Bus” during the release of “Gigli,” which brought in a disappointing $7 million globally, Affleck bounced back behind the camera. He directed some of his most successful films to date, starting with “The Town” in 2010 ($152 million worldwide), followed by “Argo” in 2012 ($227 million worldwide). The latter film also earned the prestigious title of Best Picture at the Oscars, making Affleck’s remarkable career resurgence one of Hollywood’s most notable.
Has Affleck bounced back as a successful film actor after his stint as Batman? To some extent, yes. His most notable non-Batman hits are “Gone Girl” (2014) with global earnings of $367 million, and “The Accountant” (2016) that grossed $152 million worldwide. However, the majority of his other projects have underperformed. Despite this, Affleck has come a long way since the critical and commercial flop “Gigli,” so there’s progress.
Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig gained recognition as a talented actress in independent cinema, featuring in critically acclaimed yet under-the-radar films such as “Greenberg,” “Frances Ha,” and “Mistress America.” With a global box office revenue of $408 million under her belt as an actress, Gerwig’s success is notable. However, most of this income stemmed from her supporting role in “No Strings Attached.” As a leading lady, she was highly favored among indie film enthusiasts, but not a guaranteed investment for studios. That all changed when she transitioned into directing.
In her debut directorial project, “Lady Bird,” released in 2017, Greta Gerwig achieved significant success with a global box office revenue of around $80 million for this independent film. This accomplishment earned her Oscar nominations for both writing and directing. Following this, she nearly doubled the earnings of “Lady Bird” with an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women,” which generated approximately $218 million worldwide in 2018, resulting in another Oscar nomination. Gerwig then surpassed the global revenue of “Little Women” by more than five times through the release of “Barbie” in 2023, with a stunning $1.4 billion box office success and yet another Oscar nod.
Three movies under her belt, garnering four nominations at the Academy Awards. With a stunning global box office revenue surpassing $1.7 billion, there’s no denying that cinephiles yearn for Gerwig’s return to their local indie cinemas. However, this acclaimed director has made her mark in blockbuster territory as well. Upcoming projects include an adaptation of “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Despite expressing fear, we are confident she will handle the challenge with ease.
Robert Downey Jr.
Robert Downey Jr. owned an Oscar statue from the 2023 film “Oppenheimer” and boasted a substantial fortune, earned through his portrayal of Tony Stark. It is surprising to recall that Downey was once labeled as “box office poison.” His rise to fame came swiftly in his career, but some early roles he’d rather forget about. Despite receiving an Academy Award nomination for the lead role in “Chaplin” (1992), Downey’s notoriety stemmed more from off-screen escapades like trespassing and being found unconscious at a neighbor’s residence.
Despite his lackluster box office performance for the initial two decades of his career, Downey failed to attract big-name co-stars by bringing substantial financial gains to the table. For nearly a quarter century, none of his films earned over $100 million in revenue. Consequently, “Air America,” one of Mel Gibson’s biggest box office disappointments, and “Soapdish,” a significant flop for Sally Field, were among Downey’s collaborations during this period.
In the new millennium, Downey’s career experienced a gradual yet definite revival. This transformation was facilitated by his friend Gibson financing him for “The Singing Detective,” and director Favreau advocating for him as Iron Man’s Tony Stark. The outcome was fruitful: Downey’s first “Iron Man” production amassed a staggering $585 million in global revenue, surpassing the earnings of his previous top-grossing film, “Gothika,” by fourfold and paving the way for the most successful franchise to date.
Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling’s acting career didn’t take off any slower than most actors’. He began his journey in entertainment as a Mouseketeer on the revamped “Mickey Mouse Club” and made his film debut with a supporting role in “Remember The Titans,” which featured Denzel Washington as the leading star in 2000. By 2004, Gosling had earned top billing in the romantic drama “The Notebook.” While its $115 million global box office revenue wasn’t on par with “Titanic,” it was enough to establish Gosling as a movie star, according to Hollywood’s perspective.
In the span of several notable film roles, Gosling failed to surpass the $100 million mark in global box office revenues for nearly a decade. This was evident even with his supporting part in “Crazy, Stupid Love” alongside Steve Carell. Although he delivered impressive acting in movies like “Drive” and “The Nice Guys,” Gosling’s box office successes during the subsequent ten years were mediocre at best. However, there were exceptions: In 2016, he starred in “La La Land,” which grossed a substantial $433 million, featuring co-star and consistent box office draw Emma Stone. Yet, there were also disappointments, both financially speaking with “Blade Runner 2049” and smaller productions like “Only God Forgives.” Overall, Gosling displayed the abilities of a movie star on screen, but his box office records did not consistently reflect this status.
In 2023, Gosling made a comeback with “Barbie,” earning an impressive $1.4 billion globally due to his captivating, Oscar-nominated portrayal of Ken. Yet, in contrast, his performance in “The Fall Guy” that same year brought in only $27 million initially but eventually grossed over $175 million. Much like today’s leading actors, Gosling might not always deliver blockbuster successes, but when he lands the perfect role, he proves to be more than just enough.
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2024-07-14 13:31