The movie Desert Warrior, released in the United States last weekend, has been met with a resounding failure. Despite featuring a prominent cast that includes Anthony Mackie and Ben Kingsley, its box office debut was discouraging, as it only managed to earn $487,848 in 1,010 theaters, ranking 14th for the weekend.
This performance is particularly alarming considering that the production cost $150 million, $80 million more than initially expected.
Desert Warrior has not convinced the audience
The lack of promotion has been pointed out as one of the main culprits of this situation. If the public is not aware of the existence of a movie, it is unlikely that they will go to see it. In this case, Desert Warrior seems to have gone unnoticed by an audience that otherwise might have shown interest in its themes and actors, as well as in the story of a legendary bandit from the 7th century.
The production, directed by Rupert Wyatt, had a long and difficult gestation, facing multiple challenges during the five years of filming in Saudi Arabia.
The criticism towards the movie has mostly been negative, pointing out that it offers nothing memorable and is easy to forget. This phenomenon of forgetfulness has been compared to other cinematic failures, such as Mars Needs Moms, which, despite its adverse reviews, grossed over 39 million dollars, a figure that Desert Warrior seems destined not to reach.
The gap between its budget and projected earnings has left a bleak outlook for its creators, who now must face the consequences of a failed project.
In the midst of these circumstances, Wyatt was doubtful about the final outcome, and although he initially distanced himself from the project, he returned to complete it, a move that now seems to leave a bitter taste in his career.
