So, the question on comic lovers’ lips right now is: will Suicide Squad make viewers want to do as the movie’s name would suggest or will it be met with critical acclaim?
The last decade has seen comic-based movies do extremely well on a number of fronts, but will David Ayer’s Suicide Squad do the same? With an all-star cast and a reported budget of more than $100 million, it should wow the critics but, even if it doesn’t, it may not matter.
Success for comic book movies is about more than critical acclaim. While on Oscar or two will undoubtedly please the cast and crew, a movie doesn’t necessarily have to be a success with the critics in order for it to make some serious cash, and not just at the box office. A case in point is Batman: The Dark Knight Rises.
The Dark Knight Rises in Strange Places
Despite being panned by certain critics, The Dark Knight Rises was a box office hit and, more importantly, an ongoing hit in a variety of entertainment mediums following its release in 2012. According to the Daily Mail’s Chris Tookey, parts of the movie were pretentious and, in general, it was “overlong and often incomprehensible”.
However, from a box office perspective, The Dark Knight Rises was undoubtedly a success, currently standing as the second-highest grossing DC movie of all time, with $1,084,939,099 in global sales. But that’s not the end of the story. Even though some critics thought the movie was a blot on the Batman brand, The Dark Knight Rises has achieved commercial success in a variety of ways.
In fact, like many movie franchises, Batman has joined up with the gaming world. Over the last decade the online casino industry (otherwise known as the iGaming industry) has forged something of a relationship with production companies.
Focusing specifically on slot games, software providers such as Microgaming and NetEnt have taken some of the best movie themes and infused them into their products to create something wholly more engaging. Indeed, because online slots often contain video sequences, animations and sound effects, it makes them a natural fit for movie themes and that, in turn, has led to a reciprocal relationship through which movie franchises like Batman have been able to increase their appeal and popularity.
In fact, when you take a look around the online gaming world today you’ll find a myriad of movie themed slots. For example, anyone wishing to take Batman for a spin on the quest for untold riches, The Dark Knight slot games have become one of the biggest titles of its kind online. For example, 32Red’s The Dark Knight is a veritable mix of reels, animations and caped crusader-themed sounds that can unlock six-figure jackpots from as little as $0.30.
Continuing this theme, major TV franchises are now harnessing the power of online slots to expand the appeal of their products. Probably the most impressive game currently available on 32Red at the moment is Game of Thrones. Based on HBO’s record breaking TV series, this online slot takes players on a fantastical through Westeros and Essos.
As we’ve said, movie-themed slots in the iGaming world aren’t exclusive to a single platform like 32Red. Indeed, because this relationship is now well established, software providers and operators of all shapes and sizes have tapped into this TV/movie vibe. For example, inside Slots Heaven you’ll find Playtech’s Incredible Hulk with its smash bonuses, while Castle Jackpots has Blue Print Games’ Top Cat.
The list of options literally goes on and on thanks to movie bosses and gaming companies understanding the need for cross-channel entertainment and mass market appeal.
Batman Riding a Wave of Popularity
But that’s not all, away from taking a spin with Batman at 32Red, fans of the man in black can sit down with him and ride through a world of color and chaos at Six Flags Great Adventure. Constructed at a cost of $7.5 million, The Dark Knight Coaster takes thrill seekers on a high octane journey through Gotham City complete with familiar sights and sounds from the movie franchise.
Of course, when you’re done spinning slots and riding coasters, there’s The Dark Knight Rises mobile game from Gameloft. Available for Android and iOS devices, the platform game is yet another piece of a much larger entertainment puzzle. And this, in a nutshell, is why Suicide Squad could still be a huge commercial hit even if the critics don’t like it.
Suicide Squad Set for Big Things
Naturally, if we look at movie on its own merits, there’s a lot to suggest it could be met with critical acclaim. Even though Tom Hardy was famously left “gutted” after he was forced to drop his role in the movie, the cast still boasts some of the hottest names in Hollywood – we’re talking Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto. Not only that, but it’s no secret that Batman (played by Ben Affleck) will be making an appearance in the movie. It has also been reported that certain scenes have been reshot and new ones added in an attempt to ensure the movie meets the highest expectations.
However, even if Suicide Squad doesn’t get a lot of love from the ‘experts’, the chances are it could still be a huge commercial success on a number of fronts. As The Dark Knight Rises has demonstrated, people love to interact with comic creations in new and exciting ways. Indeed, following the movie’s release in August, we could well see a Suicide Squad slot game, a plethora of mobile apps, clothing, theme park rides and maybe even a TV series.
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Originally published June 7, 2016. Updated November 12, 2018.
