When the sequel to a successful movie only makes about half of what the original made, that can spell doom for a franchise.
The first of the rebooted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies in 2014 was more than a moderate success. On a reported budget of $125 million, it grossed an international total of $493 million, $191 million of which was made domestically. A sequel was greenlight soon afterward, which only makes sense given the profit that it turned – especially once you figure in merchandising, which for a movie like that is no small amount.
This year’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows didn’t share its predecessor’s success. On a slightly higher budget of $135 million, it took in $246 million worldwide, and only $82 million domestically. That’s a big drop regardless of how you slice the pizza. And, as it turns out, it’s a big enough drop to put serious doubts in regard to the future of the franchise.
As producer Andrew Form told Collider, a sequel is probably not going to happen:
I don’t think there’s Turtles 3, but I wouldn’t say there’s never going to be another Turtles movie.
Does that mean another reboot is more likely than another sequel? It sure sounds like it.
What are your thoughts, Turtles fans?
Source: Collider
