As failures go, this is mythical. The historical epic Desert Warrior (released in April this year) has officially become the largest commercial disaster in cinema history. This is a Hollywood-Saudi Arabia crossover project.
The film's budget was Rs 1400 crore. However, its performance at the global box office has shocked industry experts. The film managed to collect only Rs 6 crore during its theatrical run.
It featured high profile stars like Anthony Mackie and Ben Kingsley. The financial gap represents a loss of nearly 100 percent of the initial investment. Analysts believe a lack of marketing and negative reviews caused the failure. Many theaters across North America reported nearly empty screenings during the opening weekend. Critics panned the movie for its pacing and storytelling.
What is the film about? "Set in seventh-century Arabia, amongst the constant feuding between tribes, the ruthless Emperor Kisra wishes to make Princess Hind his concubine. However, she refuses and instead, with the help of a legendary bandit, looks to confront the Emperor, culminating in the Battle of Ze Qar," its Wikipedia summary says.
