Hollywood's global pull weakens amid rising Anti-American sentiment, says superman director James Gunn

Srinagar, July 22: Hollywood’s summer blockbuster season is in full swing, with films like F1, Jurassic World: Rebirth, and Superman performing strongly at the box office. Yet despite their success at home, there’s growing concern over the waning influence of Hollywood outside North America.

Unlike in previous years, many big-budget films are now seeing stronger returns domestically than overseas. Superman director and DC Studios co-chair James Gunn attributes part of this shift to what he describes as “a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world.”

By the end of its second weekend, Superman has earned $236 million in the domestic market (US and Canada), as compared to $173 million overseas. This 60-40 split is unusual for a movie of its size. Traditionally, big IP films have done better overseas than in North America.
Addressing this shift in an interview with The Rolling Stone, Gunn said, "Superman is not a known commodity in some places. He is not a well-known superhero in some places like Batman is. That affects things. And it also affects things that we have a certain amount of anti-American sentiment around the world right now. It isn’t really helping us. So I think it’s just a matter of letting something grow.”

The film, the first in Gunn's new rebooted DC Universe, has grossed $409 million worldwide. It stars David Corenswet in the titular role, along with Rachel Brosnahan and Nicholas Hoult.