14 DAY TRIAL // It was supposed to be one of the biggest movies of the year but I could bet money that you didn’t even know that “The Fifth Estate” with Benedict Cumberbatch as hacktivist Julian Assange had already come out in theaters. This is why Forbes has listed it as the biggest flop of 2013.
The film received a lot of press because of the ever-hot topic of Assange’s activities but also because it would have mark ed Cumberbatch’s ascension to Hollywood elite and turn him into a certified A-lister.
Instead, the film was a flop, making just $6 million (€4.4 million) of its $28 million (€20.5 million) budget, which means a return of only 21%. If you also consider that it was directed by Oscar-winning Bill Condon, the failure feels even more painful.
The other “Turkeys” of the year (notice how we’re already summing up 2013 even though it’s not even December yet?) include a Russell Crowe movie (“Broken City), a Jennifer Lopez / Jason Statham action flick (“Parker”) and one of Stallone’s most recent efforts, “Bullet to the Head.”
Cumberbatch isn’t exactly in Hollywood A-list company, is he?
1. – “The Fifth Estate”: 21% return 2 – “Bullet to the Head”: 36% return 3 – “Paranoia”: 39% return 4 – “Parker”: 49% return 5 – “Broken City”: 54% return 6 – “Battle of the Year”: 55% return 7 – “Getaway”: 58% return 8 – “Peeples”: 60% return 9 – “RIPD”: 60% return 10 – “The Big Wedding”: 63% return