Things are looking up for Warner Bros.’ DC Expanded Universe. Suicide Squad, the follow-up film in the DC Expanded Universe to this year’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, was a risky prospect from the get-go given that A. It’s a villain-centric pic and B. It features a bunch of comics characters general audiences know nothing about. However, that didn’t stop Deadpool in February, and if early tracking is to be trusted, it won’t be a hindrance to Suicide Squad at the box office either.

Per THR, early tracking on Suicide Squad foretells an opening as high as $125 million, which would be a definite “win” for Warner Bros. and its superhero universe. It certainly has the potential to climb even higher, but at this early stage in the tracking game, $125 million appears to be the starting number. And it’s not bad! Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which featured the two most iconic comic book characters in history, opened to $166 million, so if Suicide Squad comes even close to that it’s a success. Batman v Superman’s problem was it had no legs, as the box office quickly slowed down over the ensuing weeks and closed with $330 million at the domestic box office, so the key for Suicide Squad will not only be a big weekend, but scoring positive word of mouth that ensures repeat business and a lengthy stay in the box office Top 10.


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Clay Enos/ & © DC Comics Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Of course tracking has become less and less reliable over the last year or two. For instance, Deadpool opened to a massive $132 million earlier this year, but the tracking on the picture had it opening closer to $60 million—less than half of what it actually made. Will Suicide Squad open higher or lower than this early tracking number of $125 million? We have no idea, but they key I’d imagine is ensuring the film has a joyous quality to it—something folks are eager to re-experience again and again, something that Batman v Superman lacked. Audiences haven’t been too enraptured with anything non-animated this summer, so perhaps they’re ready for a big superhero movie to close out the summer movie season.

I, for one, am hopeful for the David Ayer-directed picture having visited the set last year, and you can peruse all of my coverage in the links below. What do you think folks? Is Suicide Squad destined for box office success? Sound off in the comments below. Starring Will SmithMargot Robbie, and Jared LetoSuicide Squad opens in theaters on August 5th.

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Clay Enos/ & © DC Comics Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
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Clay Enos/ & © DC Comics Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

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Clay Enos/ & © DC Comics Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

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