It’s become increasingly common for big names in entertainment and the studios behind them to use their projects‘ publicity to promote social and political causes. However, some of these films and shows haven’t performed well with audiences. This has led to a lot of discussion among fans and critics about whether there’s a point where messaging overshadows good storytelling. Below is a look at several high-profile celebrities whose recent projects didn’t attract large audiences after they engaged in significant social commentary and advocacy.
Brie Larson
The actress received a lot of attention during the promotion of ‘The Marvels,’ which didn’t earn back its high production costs at the box office. The film’s marketing and her previous appearances highlighted the importance of social progress and diverse representation in superhero movies – ideas she’d often spoken about publicly. Unfortunately, the film’s financial results were much lower than previous installments in the franchise, which had all been billion-dollar successes.
Billy Eichner
Billy Eichner, the creator and star of the movie ‘Bros,’ faced disappointment when the film didn’t draw large crowds to theaters. He had previously emphasized how important the movie was for representation, but after a weak opening weekend, he publicly suggested certain groups were responsible for the low turnout. Despite positive reviews from many critics, the movie didn’t make as much money as hoped.
Elizabeth Banks
The director and lead actress of the 2019 ‘Charlie’s Angels’ reboot sparked discussion with her comments about the film’s potential reception. She worried that if the movie didn’t do well financially, it could strengthen harmful beliefs about whether female-led action films can be successful. Unfortunately, the film didn’t perform well in theaters and didn’t lead to any sequels. Some critics felt the movie’s focus on contemporary social issues might have turned off fans of the original ‘Charlie’s Angels’.
Rachel Zegler
The actress received a lot of attention for speaking out about the new direction of the ‘Snow White’ movie and what she saw as problems with the original story. Her ideas about updating the character and removing the focus on romance sparked a lot of online discussion even before the film came out. Some experts believed her comments may have turned off some traditional fans. The movie also faced production challenges and was released into a crowded field of competing films.
Seth Rogen
The new animated series ‘Santa Inc.’ sparked significant criticism after its release, receiving mostly negative reviews from viewers. The show was heavily promoted as a fresh, modern take on Christmas traditions, exploring political and social themes. However, ratings quickly dropped as many found the show’s tone and messages to be off-putting. It failed to attract a loyal audience and became a subject of debate in broader conversations about television and culture.
Mindy Kaling
The animated series ‘Velma,’ created by the producer and voice actress, offered a modern take on the ‘Scooby Doo’ characters, incorporating mature themes and social commentary. However, the show struggled to gain acceptance from longtime fans who disliked the new portrayals and storyline. While marketing highlighted the show’s diverse cast and its attempt to break from traditional animation conventions, it ultimately received poor ratings and negative feedback online despite initial interest.
Olivia Wilde
The director of ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ often talked about the movie’s feminist ideas and its commentary on society, which were central to the psychological thriller. The film’s marketing highlighted the relationships between men and women in the story and how it connected to today’s world, despite being set in the mid-20th century. However, despite a lot of attention from the tabloids, the movie didn’t perform strongly at the box office and received mixed reviews. Many people felt that the way the film was promoted, emphasizing its social message, actually distracted from the story and acting itself.
Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The actress and writer became part of the ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ cast, playing a character designed to be a strong, modern counterpoint to Indiana Jones. She was a key figure in the film’s marketing, which emphasized a change in the usual relationship between characters in the long-running series. While the movie tried to update the classic adventure formula with more contemporary themes, it didn’t perform as well financially as hoped and received a mixed response from viewers, many of whom preferred the original films.
Jameela Jamil
The actress actively used her social media to highlight the inclusive messages in ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ often responding to those who criticized the show. She’s known for speaking out on important issues and pushing for more diversity and realistic beauty standards in the entertainment industry. The show itself wasn’t afraid to comment on itself and offer social commentary, which divided many longtime fans. Because the show was expensive to make and didn’t attract consistently high viewership, it raised concerns about the future of similar projects on streaming services.
Tatiana Maslany
Tatiana Maslany, the star of ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ often represented the show’s message of female strength within the superhero world. The first season tackled topics like online harassment and unfair expectations placed on women through its storylines. These choices sparked diverse reactions from both dedicated comic book fans and newcomers. Despite its efforts, the series didn’t achieve the same widespread popularity as other Marvel projects.
Lilly Singh
Lilly Singh started her career creating online videos before getting her own late-night TV show, ‘A Little Late with Lilly Singh,’ where she brought her unique background and perspective to the forefront. The show featured her takes on current events and progressive ideas through monologues and sketches. Despite her efforts, ‘A Little Late’ didn’t attract a large enough audience and received criticism for its humor and writing. After two seasons, the network decided to try a different approach to late-night television and canceled the show.
Amy Schumer
This comedian has always used her stand-up and films to share her views on social and political issues. Recent work, including movies like ‘Snatched’ and her online shows, frequently touches on topics like body image and gender. Although she was once incredibly popular, her newer projects haven’t been as well-received by audiences or critics. Many people believe her style of comedy is falling out of step with what general audiences are looking for today.
Lena Dunham
The writer and actress frequently incorporates feminist ideas and her own beliefs into her work, as seen in projects like ‘Sharp Stick’ and ‘Generation’. She’s well-known for her activism and openly discussing challenging social issues. However, her recent films haven’t resonated with audiences as much as her earlier TV shows, and they tend to appeal to a smaller, dedicated fanbase rather than a broad audience.
Kumail Nanjiani
The actor dramatically changed his appearance for his part in ‘Eternals’ and often discussed how important it was to see diverse stories told in big-budget films. The movie was promoted as a turning point for inclusivity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, introducing many new characters. However, despite a well-known cast and a huge budget, the film received generally lukewarm reviews and didn’t perform as well at the box office as expected. Some viewers thought the focus on the film’s message during promotion overshadowed the story itself.
Billy Porter
The actor played the Fairy Godmother in the 2021 film ‘Cinderella,’ which premiered on a streaming service. His casting was praised as a progressive and inclusive update to the classic character, breaking away from traditional gender roles. However, the movie received mostly negative reviews, with critics citing the modern songs and unique interpretation of the story. It didn’t gain much attention or positive feedback when it was first released.
Cynthia Erivo
The actress played the Blue Fairy in the new live-action ‘Pinocchio,’ which updated the classic Disney tale. The film’s promotion highlighted its diverse cast and a new take on familiar characters. However, critics didn’t respond well to the movie, often finding it focused too much on special effects and not enough on heartfelt storytelling. Ultimately, it didn’t resonate with most viewers, who generally preferred the original animated film.
Ella Balinska
The lead actress from Netflix’s ‘Resident Evil’ series starred in a show that aimed to update the horror franchise for today’s audience. While the series introduced new ideas and focused on diverse characters and current social issues, it significantly changed the original story. Unfortunately, both viewers and critics were generally unhappy with these changes and the way the show was made. As a result of low ratings and negative reactions from longtime fans, Netflix canceled the series after just one season.
Melissa McCarthy
The 2016 ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot, featuring an all-female cast, received a lot of attention and criticism. Marketing for the film frequently highlighted the gender of the main characters and the strong reactions from online critics. Although it opened well in theaters, the movie didn’t make enough money to cover its significant production and advertising expenses. It sparked a broader conversation about how films balance beloved classics with contemporary social issues.
Leslie Jones
The actress, a lead in the ‘Ghostbusters’ reboot, became a focal point in discussions about diversity in big-budget films. The movie was promoted as a bold step away from typical casting in action comedies. However, despite its publicity, it didn’t perform well enough financially to warrant a sequel. Unfortunately, the negative reactions and media coverage often overshadowed the film’s humor and comedic aspects.
Kristen Wiig
The funny actress starred in the 2016 ‘Ghostbusters’ movie at a time when Hollywood was increasingly focused on empowering women. The film was seen as a modern update to a series traditionally led by men. However, audiences had very different reactions, and the movie didn’t perform well with a wide range of viewers. This led to a break before the franchise was restarted with a new approach.
Kate McKinnon
The actress received a lot of positive attention for her vibrant performance in the new ‘Ghostbusters’ movie, which also starred several well-known comedic actors. The film’s advertising highlighted its diverse cast and used current social and political issues to generate interest. However, the movie didn’t make enough money to justify continuing the series with the same actors, and this led to a lot of discussion about whether it’s a good idea for big films to use social messages in their marketing.
LeBron James
LeBron James starred in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy,’ a modern update to the original animated and live-action film. While the movie included nods to current events and redesigned animated characters, it received mixed reactions from both critics and audiences, who often felt the promotional tie-ins were too obvious. Despite the effort, the film didn’t perform as well in theaters and hasn’t reached the same legendary status as the 1996 original.
Taika Waititi
I was really intrigued by how the director and lead actor went in a completely different direction with ‘Thor: Love and Thunder.’ They clearly wanted to make a superhero movie that was funny and touched on important social issues. In interviews, they talked a lot about how the story was meant to be inclusive and challenge typical ideas of what it means to be a hero. But honestly, a lot of us fans felt like the movie’s tone was all over the place. The humor, while sometimes funny, often felt like it took away from the seriousness of the story. It’s a shame because the movie made a lot of money at first, but quickly lost steam and a lot of fans were pretty disappointed with it.
Natalie Portman
The actress reprised her role in the Marvel movie ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ where her character became a powerful superhero. Her return was heavily promoted as a win for female representation and a realization of her character’s full capabilities. However, despite the excitement, the film received mixed reactions, with critics and audiences divided on its story and comedic style. Ultimately, the movie’s success didn’t measure up to the previous film in the series, making its overall reception a disappointment.
Tessa Thompson
The actress was a key player in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ and the movie highlighted her character as part of a push for more diverse representation in leadership roles. Her character was created to break away from typical tropes and offer a new take on leading her people. However, the film didn’t resonate with many established fans and didn’t perform as well as previous ‘Thor’ movies. This led to conversations about where the franchise and its characters should go next.
David Harbour
The actor played the lead role in the 2019 film ‘Hellboy,’ which was promoted as a darker and more thoughtful reimagining of the comic book hero. Before the movie came out, he talked about its modern themes and how it offered a fresh perspective. However, the film wasn’t successful with critics or audiences, especially given the number of other superhero movies available. Many reviewers disliked the script and felt it strayed too far from the original films people loved.
Linda Hamilton
I was so excited when Linda Hamilton came back to play Sarah Connor in ‘Terminator Dark Fate’! It was really pushed as a fresh take on the series, focusing on strong female characters, which I loved. But honestly, it was a huge disappointment to see it do so poorly in theaters. Despite having James Cameron back, people just didn’t seem to connect with the new story, and it felt like the focus on current social issues turned a lot of fans off. It was a real loss for the studio, and a letdown for those of us who were hoping for a successful revival.
Mackenzie Davis
The actress was central to ‘Terminator Dark Fate’ and a key figure in the film’s marketing, which highlighted a new type of action hero. Her character was created to be a strong, modern addition to the existing sci-fi world. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t resonate with established fans and failed to attract a younger audience in theaters. This led to financial losses and the decision to put the ‘Terminator’ series on hold indefinitely.
Emma Watson
The actress played a leading role in the thriller ‘The Circle,’ which explored issues of privacy, corporate monitoring, and how technology affects society. Because she was known for publicly supporting social issues, her image seemed to fit well with the film’s message and how it was promoted. However, the movie wasn’t successful with either critics or audiences and didn’t make much money in theaters, even with a well-known cast. Many people who watched it felt the film was preachy and lacked a compelling storyline.
John Boyega
The actor starred in and helped produce ‘Pacific Rim Uprising,’ a sequel intended to introduce a new group of heroes to the series. He often discussed the need for more diversity and fresh viewpoints in big action movies. However, the film didn’t perform as well financially or with critics as the first ‘Pacific Rim,’ directed by Guillermo del Toro. As a result, plans for future movies in the series were put on hold while the studio considered whether to continue the franchise.
Amber Heard
After facing a lot of public attention and negative press, the actress starred in ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’. Her involvement sparked conversations online, with many people discussing her role and even launching social media campaigns. Unfortunately, the film didn’t do as well as the first ‘Aquaman’ movie, and critics weren’t very impressed. Many believe all the outside drama surrounding the actress affected how the public viewed the film.
Ezra Miller
The release of ‘The Flash’ movie was hampered by significant public controversies surrounding its lead actor. While marketing focused on the film’s multiverse storyline and the return of beloved characters, the actor’s personal issues cast a shadow over the project. Ultimately, the film performed poorly at the box office and didn’t achieve its goal of starting a new chapter for the superhero universe. Many potential viewers were aware of the issues surrounding the actor, making it difficult to attract an audience.
Jennifer Lawrence
The actress starred in ‘Dark Phoenix,’ the last film in the original X-Men series. Marketing for the movie emphasized female empowerment and a shift away from the male-focused storylines of earlier films. However, it received negative reviews and performed poorly at the box office, becoming one of the franchise’s lowest-earning installments. Reviewers pointed out that the film didn’t quite deliver a satisfying ending to the series, especially while trying to incorporate contemporary themes.
Sophie Turner
In ‘Dark Phoenix,’ the actress played the central character in a story about the dangers of unchecked power. Marketing for the film focused on its feminist message and the significance of having a female lead in a superhero movie. However, the film didn’t perform well with audiences and faced difficulties during production, including many reshoots and changes to the original plan. Its disappointing results ultimately led to the end of the franchise as it was known, before it was absorbed into a new studio.
Jessica Chastain
The actress both produced and starred in ‘The 355’, an action thriller promoted as a new, female-led spy series. The idea behind the film was to create a franchise that would offer women the same kind of action opportunities seen in films like James Bond and Mission Impossible. However, despite featuring a strong international cast, the movie didn’t perform well in theaters and was considered a box office failure. Critics often pointed out that the film felt predictable and didn’t have enough substance to launch a successful series.
Lupita Nyong’o
The Academy Award-winning actress joined the cast of ‘The 355’ to help bring more diversity to action movies. Her character was presented as a smart tech expert and an important part of the film’s international team. However, the movie didn’t perform well in theaters and quickly faded from public attention. This showed how difficult it can be to create a successful new action franchise relying mostly on social messaging and famous actors.
Diane Kruger
The actress starred as a tough agent in ‘The 355’ and actively promoted the film’s message of greater inclusivity in action movies. She traveled the world doing interviews, highlighting the need for more female leads in roles typically held by men. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t connect with audiences and wasn’t financially successful enough to warrant a follow-up. Its disappointing performance was often used as an example of how hard it is to turn social goals into ticket sales.
Penélope Cruz
The well-known actress played a psychologist in ‘The 355,’ a departure from typical action movie roles. This was intended to offer a fresh female viewpoint within the genre. However, the film wasn’t successful, receiving generally unfavorable reviews from critics. It had trouble standing out because many similar spy stories already existed.
Fan Bingbing
The well-known actress starred in ‘The 355’ to attract viewers worldwide and highlight teamwork between people from different cultures. Her character was a key part of the film’s advertising, which emphasized the strength of women from various backgrounds. However, despite featuring a famous cast, the movie didn’t perform well internationally. This lack of success meant that any ideas for making sequels were abandoned.
Margot Robbie
The actress played a leading role in ‘Birds of Prey,’ a movie promoted as a strong, female-driven addition to the superhero world. The film’s marketing focused on the main character’s freedom and the power of female friendships. Although critics generally liked the movie, it didn’t do as well financially as other superhero films. As a result, the studio changed the film’s title while it was still in theaters, hoping to bring in a larger audience.
Brad Pitt
The actor appeared in ‘Babylon,’ a sprawling drama about the wild and changing world of early Hollywood. While marketed as a bold commentary on the film industry with relevant modern themes, the movie didn’t perform well financially. Many viewers found its long length and challenging subject matter off-putting rather than captivating.
Iman Vellani
The young actress starred in ‘The Marvels’ alongside two other female leads, in a story celebrating teamwork and a new kind of hero. Her character was heavily featured in the film’s marketing, which aimed to showcase a more diverse group of superheroes. However, the movie struggled in theaters and became one of the lowest-performing films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many believe this was because audiences weren’t connecting with the franchise’s newer characters and the direction it was heading.
Teyonah Parris
The actress was a key player in ‘The Marvels,’ with the film heavily emphasizing connections between characters and themes of social change. Her character first appeared in a successful streaming series and was intended to link that show with the movie. Unfortunately, the film didn’t draw a big audience and quickly lost viewers after its release. This disappointing result led to discussions about whether it’s a good idea to tie together so many different projects across TV and movies.
Ewan McGregor
The actor reprised his iconic role in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi,’ a highly anticipated addition to the Star Wars universe. The series and its marketing emphasized contemporary social issues and highlighted the diversity of the people involved in its creation. Although it initially attracted a large audience, the show received a varied response from longtime fans. Some felt the storytelling and character arcs took a backseat to the social messages woven throughout the season.
Moses Ingram
The actress portrayed a key villain in ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ and sparked a widespread conversation about diversity in science fiction. The studio promoted her casting as a positive move for representation within the popular franchise. Both the character and the actress received a lot of online attention and debate, which became a major focus of news coverage for the show. While the series was highly anticipated, fans had a noticeably mixed reaction to the storyline.
Christian Bale
The celebrated actor played the villain in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ as the series moved towards a lighter, more humorous tone with social commentary. Although his acting received positive reviews, the film itself didn’t resonate well with audiences. Despite being promoted as a significant change for superhero movies, the film ultimately disappointed at the box office and drew criticism for its story and creative direction.
Russell Crowe
The experienced actor played a character in ‘Thor Love and Thunder’ who playfully mocked typical portrayals of gods and people in charge. This fit with the film’s overall goal of challenging familiar superhero storylines and offering a fresh look at power. However, the movie didn’t resonate with many viewers who preferred a more classic superhero adventure, and it ultimately received less positive reviews and lower box office numbers than previous films in the series.
Robert Downey Jr.
After a successful period playing a superhero, the actor starred in ‘Dolittle,’ a new take on the well-known story aimed at families. The movie included contemporary changes and highlighted its diverse voice actors and messages about social issues. However, critics generally disliked the film, and it performed poorly in theaters, resulting in substantial financial losses for the studio. Many reviewers felt the movie was unfocused and didn’t resonate with viewers.
George Clooney
‘The Midnight Sky,’ a film by the actor and director, aimed to deliver a message about protecting the environment and the future of humankind. Though released with considerable promotion on a major streaming service, the movie didn’t really capture the public’s imagination or receive much praise from critics. Many who watched found it to be too depressing and felt its themes were repeated too often.
Sean Penn
‘Flag Day’ was a film directed by and starring an actor who presented it as a very personal story dealing with family and social issues. However, the marketing emphasized the actor’s political beliefs and history of activism. Ultimately, the film didn’t attract many viewers and earned very little money in theaters. Most critics found the movie weak, believing the story wasn’t strong enough to effectively handle its serious themes.
Please share your thoughts on these high profile commercial disappointments in the comments.
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2025-12-31 23:21