Matthew Vaughn’s spy action comedy filmArgyllehas found success in the streaming arena, despite an initial stumble at the box office. Released on Apple TV+ on April 12,the film rapidly ascended to become the second-most streamed title in its first weekaccording toReelgood.
Its impressive digital rebound starkly contrasts with its theatrical performance, where it earned a mere $96.2 million globally against a $200 million budget, marking it as one of the most significant disappointments of the year. Despite a harsh critical reception, with a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes,Argylledemonstrates that streaming platforms can offer a second life to films that don’t meet box office expectations.
Argyllefeatures a lineup of prominent stars and follows the mold of Vaughn’s previous works, albeit with a PG-13 rating which Vaughn has expressed limits his usual directorial style. The film’s reception on Apple TV+ suggests that the streaming format may be more forgiving or perhaps better suited for certain types of films and audiences.It trailed only behind Prime Video’sFalloutand ahead of HBO Max’sThe Zone of Interest, which holds an Oscar to its name, in streaming popularity for the week.
Argylle’s Box Office Slide Puts Henry Cavill’s Future Ventures in Jeopardy
Argylle, featuring Henry Cavill in the lead role, was initiallyanticipated as a potential blockbuster.The film has faced a significant decline in box office earnings, experiencing a 62% drop in its second weekend.This disappointing trend suggests trouble not only for the movie itself but also for Cavill’s aspirations to launch a new franchise.
Argyllearrived on the heels of high expectations, propelled by a polished marketing campaign complete with an alluring teaser, a dynamic trailer, and a star-studded music video. However, despite these promising promotional efforts, the film has not resonated with critics or audiences as hoped.
For Henry Cavill, the stakes were particularly high. Having recently exited major roles in the DC Extended Universe as Superman and Netflix’sThe Witcheras Geralt, Cavill seemed poised to reinvent his career withArgylle. This film was planned to be the launchpad for a thrilling new spy saga, a chance for Cavill to anchor his own franchise in a post-Superman era. However, the film’s poor performance has cast doubt on these plans, making the future uncertain for both the actor and the potential series.
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Matthew Vaughn Wanted a Argylle and Kingsman Crossover
During aninterview with Collider, director Vaughn shared his thoughts on thepotential interconnection between his two espionage-heavy films,ArgylleandKingsman.Vaughn suggested the possibility of a crossover that could merge the vibrant worlds of these two distinct franchises.
“Well, I’m hoping with Marv,we’ve got Kingsman on the left, we have Argylle on the right, and I do think there’s a space in the middle where I haven’t played with yet. But both could help me get into the middle ground.”
Vaughn’s remarks indicated a conceptual sandbox where elements from both movies could coalesce, offering fresh storytelling possibilities within the spy genre.
