What's Happening?
The film 'Soulm8te,' a spinoff from the 'M3GAN' series, has been removed from Universal's release calendar. Originally set for release on January 9, the film will now be offered to other Hollywood studios.
'Soulm8te' is a sci-fi thriller about a man who purchases an android to cope with his wife's death. The decision to pull the film comes after the sequel 'M3GAN 2.0' underperformed at the box office, earning only $39 million compared to the original 'M3GAN's' $181 million global earnings. Despite a modest production budget of $25 million, the sequel's earnings were insufficient to justify further expansion of the franchise. The film was directed by Kate Dolan and stars Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, and Claudia Doumit, with production by Blumhouse's Jason Blum and Atomic Monster's James Wan.
Why It's Important?
The removal of 'Soulm8te' from the release schedule highlights the challenges faced by film studios in maintaining successful franchises. The underperformance of 'M3GAN 2.0' suggests a waning interest in the series, which could impact future investments in similar projects. This decision reflects broader industry trends where studios are increasingly cautious about greenlighting sequels and spinoffs without guaranteed audience interest. For Blumhouse, known for its successful horror films, this represents a rare setback in an otherwise strong portfolio. The outcome of 'Soulm8te' could influence future decisions on how studios manage and market their intellectual properties, especially in the competitive horror genre.
What's Next?
With 'Soulm8te' being shopped to other studios, its future remains uncertain. If acquired, the new studio will need to strategize on how to market the film effectively, possibly rebranding it to distance from the 'M3GAN' series' recent underperformance. The decision could also prompt Blumhouse and other production companies to reassess their approach to sequels and spinoffs, potentially leading to more original content or reimagined franchises. Industry observers will be watching closely to see if 'Soulm8te' finds a new home and how it performs if released.
