The upcoming Christopher Nolan film, The Odyssey, has already sparked a wave of backlash and disappointment among fans, with the trailer receiving a staggering 337,000 dislikes on YouTube. This early negative reception raises questions about the film's potential success and the strategies employed by the studio to manage public perception. In my opinion, the blame game being played out in the industry is a familiar one, and it's a pattern that needs to be addressed.
The dislike count on the trailer has grown exponentially in just two days, and the industry has quickly jumped to the conclusion that it's the fans' fault. The theory of 'rating bombing' is being used to explain the negative reaction, suggesting that it's the work of bots or political/influencer-based campaigns. However, this explanation is problematic and doesn't account for the organic nature of the comments and the genuine concerns of the audience.
One thing that immediately stands out is the timing of this narrative. The excuses for Supergirl's underperformance came after the box office verdict, but with The Odyssey, the blame game is being played out before the film has even opened. This suggests that the studio is preparing the ground for a potential underperformance, and if the film doesn't meet its tracking numbers, the story will be that it wasn't the casting, but the fans' fault.
The comments on the trailer tell a different story. The top comment, mocking Lupita Nyong'o's casting as Helen of Troy, has over 10,000 likes, and the overwhelming negative sentiment is genuine. The backlash against the casting has been ongoing for months, and it's not just confined to the trailer page. The audience's interest in the film has been declining over the casting controversy, and this is reflected in the tracking data. The fact that Universal skipped influencer screenings further supports the idea that the audience's reaction is genuine.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the comparison to Supergirl. When that film underperformed, the industry blamed women staying home and fans, rather than the movie or its choices. This pattern of blaming the audience is a recurring theme in Hollywood, and it's a dangerous narrative to perpetuate. If The Odyssey underperforms, it will be a reflection of the audience's genuine concerns, and the studio's attempts to shift the blame will only make matters worse.
In my opinion, the studio needs to take responsibility for the film's marketing and the choices made behind the scenes. The audience's reaction is a reflection of the film's potential, and it's important to listen to their concerns. The dislike count on the trailer is a powerful indicator of the audience's sentiment, and it's a sign that the film needs to be re-evaluated. The studio should be focusing on addressing the concerns of the audience, rather than trying to shift the blame.
The verdict for The Odyssey will be revealed on July 17th, and it's a crucial moment for the film. The critics' reactions will be key, but the question remains: will the general audience show up? Dismissing the dislike count as rating bombing doesn't answer that question, and it's a dangerous game to play. The studio needs to be prepared for the possibility that the audience's concerns are genuine, and if the film underperforms, it will be a reflection of the choices made behind the scenes, not the fans' fault.
