Thescreescore – Gerard Butler, the Scottish powerhouse known for roles in 300 and the Olympus Has Fallen franchise, has a surprising new entry on the Netflix charts. His 2016 fantasy epic, Gods of Egypt, a film that tanked critically and commercially upon its initial release, is currently climbing the streaming giant’s Top 10 most-watched movies in the United States. This unexpected resurgence has film journalists buzzing, prompting questions about the film’s enduring appeal and the power of streaming platforms to revive forgotten titles.
The film, directed by Alex Proyas (The Crow), boasts a star-studded cast including Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Geoffrey Rush, Bryan Brown, Rufus Sewell, and the late Chadwick Boseman. Despite this impressive lineup, Gods of Egypt was plagued by controversy surrounding its casting choices, drawing criticism for its predominantly white cast portraying ancient Egyptian figures. This, coupled with a dismal 15% Rotten Tomatoes score and a box office performance far below expectations, initially relegated the film to the cinematic dustbin.
However, since its arrival on Netflix on August 7th, Gods of Egypt has steadily climbed the daily charts. Initially debuting at #9 on August 9th, it quickly rose to #4 before settling at #6 as of August 14th. The film’s current position on the charts, above several newer releases, including other Gerard Butler vehicles, is a testament to its newfound popularity. This unexpected success comes amidst the recent box office triumph of a live-action How to Train Your Dragon remake, in which Butler reprised his role as Stoick the Vast. This could suggest a renewed interest in Butler’s action and fantasy filmography, offering a second chance for even his most critically panned projects.
Related Post
The resurgence of Gods of Egypt raises intriguing questions about the ever-evolving landscape of film consumption and the potential for streaming platforms to breathe new life into films that were initially deemed failures. Whether this newfound success will translate into a reassessment of the film’s critical standing remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Gerard Butler’s mythological adventure is currently enjoying an unexpected second act on Netflix. And that’s a story worth watching.
Leave a Comment