In 2015, audiences were treated to yet another adaptation of the beloved Peter Pan tale, with Levi Miller stepping into the iconic role of the boy who never grows up. This iteration introduced Hook and Tiger Lily, who must join forces to save Neverland from the villainous Blackbeard. Despite the timeless source material, Pan was a critical disaster, earning a dismal 27% on Rotten Tomatoes based on over 200 reviews. With a staggering $150 million production budget, the film needed to perform exceptionally well at the box office to break even. Unfortunately, the Warner Bros. production only managed to rake in nearly $16 million domestically and concluded its theatrical run with a worldwide total of $128.4 million. The studio ultimately lost nearly $90 million on this failed retelling of J.M. Barrie’s classic character. So, what went wrong? Let’s delve into the possible reasons behind Pan‘s box office bomb.
The Controversial Whitewashing of Tiger Lily
Rooney Mara is undeniably a talented actress, having showcased her versatility in films like The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo, Nightmare Alley, and Side Effects. However, casting her as Tiger Lily, a character traditionally portrayed as Native American, was a significant misstep. Hollywood has a long history of whitewashing, with films like The Last Airbender, The Lone Ranger, Gods of Egypt, and Ghost in a Shell all facing similar controversies. The industry’s treatment of minority actors is well-documented, but it’s worth noting that many of the films mentioned were also box office flops.
While it’s understandable that studios want to attach big names to their projects, this doesn’t justify overlooking Native American actors in favor of Rooney Mara. If Hollywood wants to create stars, they need to take risks on diverse talent. Actors like Leonardo DiCaprio, Denzel Washington, and Robert Downey Jr. all became household names because someone took a chance on them. Racism undoubtedly played a role in the casting decision, with many minority actors being deemed less bankable overseas. However, time and time again, audiences have proven that they don’t care about race when watching a movie. While there’s no guarantee that casting a Native American actor as Tiger Lily would have saved Pan, the whitewashing controversy likely deterred many potential moviegoers.
Robin Williams’ Legacy Overshadowing Pan
There have been numerous adaptations of the Peter Pan story, but one of the most memorable live-action versions is Steven Spielberg’s Hook, starring Robin Williams as the titular character. This 90s classic holds a special place in the hearts of many fans and remains a successful interpretation of the Peter Pan mythos, grossing $300.9 million worldwide. Although it wasn’t a critical darling, Hook left a lasting impression on audiences, thanks in large part to Williams’ magnetic performance.
With the tragic passing of Robin Williams just a year before Pan‘s release, his portrayal of Peter Pan was still fresh in the minds of many fans. This isn’t a slight against Levi Miller, but he simply couldn’t compete with the star power and charisma of Robin Williams. The fact that the biggest star in Pan was Hugh Jackman as Blackbeard made it even more challenging for the film to escape the shadow of Williams’ iconic performance. While there have been several live-action Peter Pan adaptations since Hook, none have matched its financial success or cultural impact. The nostalgia surrounding Hook and the fond memories it evokes for 90s kids may have contributed to the lackluster reception of Pan at the box office.
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