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“Elemental” had one of the worst openings in the studio’s history, grossing only $29.5 million at the domestic box office.
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“Strange World” was projected to earn between $30 and $40 million over the long weekend, but its five-day opening ended with just $18.6 million.
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“The Little Mermaid” remake, which had a production cost of $250 million and an estimated marketing cost of $140 million, is facing the challenge of needing to gross around $560 million at the global box office. However, as of the first week of June, the film has only accumulated a total of $184.9 million, as reported by Hollywood Insiders.
In recent times, Disney has faced criticism and experienced a box office decline as it attempts to promote diversity and inclusion in its movies.
Disney’s Head of Diversity, Latondra Newton, recently resigned from her position after six years amid controversies that arose from the adoption of “woke” policies, which some consider to have alienated many of its key customers.
One of the latest films to come out of the Disney Pixar studio, “Elemental,” includes a “non-binary” character and had one of the worst openings in the studio’s history, grossing only $29.5 million at the domestic box office. Similarly, “Strange World,” featuring a same-sex teenage romance, turned out to be a box office failure. The film was projected to earn between $30 and $40 million over the long weekend, but its five-day opening ended with just $18.6 million, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT I got to play Pixar's first nonbinary character! Meet Lake!
I voice Lake in the new movie #Elemental! I'm seeing it in theaters tonight with my friends, so you can catch it in theaters too if you wanna see them. ? pic.twitter.com/6kBPGvCATE— ? Kai Ava Hauser ? (@JustAVoiceActor) June 16, 2023
Additionally, Disney has cast a transgender actor, a biological male who identifies as a woman, to play the role of Ensign Eurus in the upcoming “Star Wars” series on the Disney+ streaming service. This 30-year-old British actor joins the Lucasfilm franchise after being selected for “The Acolyte,” a series set near the end of the High Republic Era, setting the stage for the Jedi’s collapse, as reported by Screenrant.
British actress Abigail Thorn has joined Star Wars, and her character's name – Ensign Eurus – may hint at the plot of a 2024 Star Wars Disney+ TV show https://t.co/nFrftgeHbw
— Screen Rant (@screenrant) June 21, 2023
While promoting diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry is valuable and necessary, it is important to consider how these decisions can impact the success of a company like Disney. The adoption of “woke” policies has generated controversies and raised questions about whether the company is alienating parts of its core audience instead of attracting them.
It is understandable that Disney seeks to represent different identities and experiences in its movies and series. However, it is crucial to find a balance between inclusion and audience attraction. Casting decisions and storylines should consider both diversity and the preferences of the target audience to ensure success both at the box office and in audience response.
Ultimately, Disney faces the challenge of finding the right balance between diversity representation and maintaining a loyal and diverse fan base. Latondra Newton’s resignation and the box office results of recent films serve as a reminder that inclusion must go hand in hand with a deep understanding of audience expectations and preferences. Disney has the opportunity to learn from these experiences and develop a strategy that allows them to authentically and successfully connect with their audience, respecting diversity and creating stories that excite and inspire everyone.
