'The Marvels' is the most expensive MCU film after 'The Avengers.'

Soon to hit theaters on November 9, The Marvels is now the fourth most expensive production of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), with a total investment of $274 million dollars. According to Forbes, the new film's budget surpasses iconic franchise titles such as The Avengers, which had $225 million; placing it behind only Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Avengers: Infinity War, with $400 million, $365 million and $300 million respectively. With that large figure, not only does it have to surpass a $540 million mark to be considered financially successful, but it must also navigate the advertising and marketing limitations imposed by the actors' strike in Hollywood (SAG-AFTRA), in addition to dealing with the current saturation of the superhero theme at the box office.

Unfortunately, initial revenue projections shared by Box Office Pro suggest a moderate gross, estimating an opening range between $50 million and $75 million. These numbers that fall below the saga's usual debuts in its first weeks, which typically register between $70 million and $100 million. If the metrics are true, it would represent the worst opening performance in years for a collaborative feature film between Marvel and Disney.

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Nia DaCosta's direction and the choice to focus the plot on strong female figures played by Brie Larson, Iman Vellani and Teyonah Parris is as a positive step in the representation and expansion of the UCM. Still, having a trio of actresses star in a saga film for the first time is presenting additional challenges in terms of familiarity and emotional connection with male audiences.

We will know the decisive judgment with the world premiere of The Marvels on November 9.