Movies Interesting Facts 
The recent box office debacle of Todd Phillips’ Joker: Folie a Deux has reignited the debate about big budget films failing at the box office. Every year the budgets of Hollywood studio tentpole films increase by millions of dollars. And while many succeed, some fail to live up to expectations. These box office bombs cause tens, sometimes millions, of dollars in losses. Topping this dubious list is the 2012 release that flopped so badly that the studio head lost his job. ,Also read: Made in 45 crores, just earn 60k, India’s biggest box office bomb sold 500 tickets,
Hollywood’s biggest box office bomb
In 2012, director Andrew Stanton, best known for his work on the animated classics Finding Nemo and WALL-E, took charge of a live-action spectacle – John Carter. Based on the first book in the Barsoom series of novels by Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Princess of Mars, John Carter follows the titular hero on an adventure to the inhabited planet Mars. Made on a production budget of over $300 million, John Carter boasted major visual effects and was one of the most expensive films made at the time. The film’s cost increased further due to a massive promotional campaign by Walt Disney Studios.
However, John Carter was a huge box office disappointment and grossed only $284 million worldwide. After subtracting taxes and expenses, producers’ net earnings were even lower. In 2013, the Los Angeles Times reported that the film resulted in an estimated loss of approximately $265 million for the studio, the highest in Hollywood history. Some other estimates put the deficit at a much lower $150 million.
After the bombing of John Carter
John Carter was Disney’s tentpole film in 2012, that is, their biggest release, the one on which they placed all their bets. The film’s failure at the box office was a major blow to the studio, given that rival Marvel Studios had massive success with The Avengers at the same time. As a result, the board forced the resignation of Walt Disney Studios head Rich Ross. It was reported that Ross tried to blame Pixar for the failure of John Carter, which alienated many executives at both Disney and Pixar. (Also read: John Carter is a megaflop: Disney,
Following the film’s release, director Andrew Stanton returned to New York City and lived with his family for months. He later said, “I had to go on a true ‘Lost Weekend’ to purify myself.” He eventually returned to Pixar, where he directed Finding Dory, but had never attempted a live-action film until now, when he signed on to direct In the Blink of an Eye. The worst fate befell the film’s lead heroine Lynn Collins, who was told by her publicist to “disappear for a while” to avoid backlash. Collins felt that it was gender discrimination to place the blame on her, not Taylor Kitsch, who played the lead character. The actress’ role in The Wolverine was cut after John Carter, and she was not seen in another film for three more years when she returned with an indie film, Lost in the Sun. In the nine years since, Collins has only appeared in four more films, but he made his mark in a recurring role on The Walking Dead in 2021-22.
