The release of Elemental has caused a bit of a stir after it was reported that it delivered Pixar's worst opening weekend ever.
Last weekend (June 16-18), Elemental made a not-so-successful debut on the big screen and while many assumed it would be a hit, the movie "bombed" with a $29.6 million domestic debut, as per The Hollywood Reporter.
This ranks it amongst the worst three-day weekend starts in the company’s history behind Pixar’s first release, 1995’s Toy Story, which earned $29.1 million at the time - a pretty frightful sight for a movie hailed to be Pixar's newest animated gem.
For those of you that have not yet watched the film, Elemental tells the story of Ember and Wade, who are polar opposites - literally - and their adventures in a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together.
Check out the trailer:Shawn Robbins, a box office analyst spoke of the decision stating: "The event nature of Pixar films, even original IP, isn’t what it used to be. However, new leadership is seemingly trying to right some of the wrongs from the last few years.
"Elemental‘s mostly positive reception and minimal competition could help the film find legs through summer, and Pixar itself can still have a very bright future ahead as long as its shepherds remain committed to the creative fundamentals that guided the studio for so long."
Despite seemingly coming up short at the box office over the weekend period, the outlet did also reveal that there were a few redeeming qualities of the animation including its highly-rated CinemaScore as well as it's stellar exit scores on PostTrak.
Not only that, but it also scored well with audiences overseas in certain countries including South Korea, where it beat managed to beat out Warner Bros. and DC’s The Flash.
The news comes shortly after the Chief Executive Officer of Disney Bob Iger called on returning as CEO of the Walt Disney Co. in order to shift the company's direction to focussing on potentially delivering on follow-ups across both brands' hit animated franchises Toy Story, Frozen and Zootopia.
On an earnings call back in February, it was reported that Iger told investors that these upcoming films were how the brand plans to stand-out from rival competition.
"We'll have more to share about this production soon, but this is a great example of how we're leaning into our unrivaled brands and franchises," he said as per CBS.
However, he provided no further details about the projects.
Despite the lukewarm reception for the movie at the box office, social media had hotter takes about it.
"Watched #Elemental today such a heartwarming creative little movie. Once again Pixar made a successful attempt to make me leave the movie theater with eyes full of tears," commented one user.
"As an emotional guy, it was so nice to feel truly seen and appreciated in a movie like #elemental. Wade’s ultimate strength is his heart, and Ember’s tough exterior balances him out. What a true romance. 10/10 experience for me. Please don’t let this movie flop," another added.
A third even pointed out positives about the casting choice tweeting: "One of the many reasons why I love #Elemental so much is the fact that Ember and Wade are voiced by an Asian woman and a Black man respectively. An interracial couple that doesn't involve a white person voicing leads in a Pixar movie is a first. We love to see it!"
We'll just have to wait and see how it all plays out and who knows? In a few months, Pixar might have another hit on their hands.
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