With Disney’s massively popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise bringing in $4.5 billion at the global box office, it may be difficult to envision an era when studios were hesitant to produce swashbuckling, pirate-themed adventures for the big screen.
However, after the financially disastrous release of Cutthroat Island, the idea of shelling out millions for cinematic spectacle on the high seas was questionable at best.
Starring Geena Davis and Matthew Modine as unlikely allies in pursuit of treasure, and directed by the former’s then-husband Renny Harlin, the 1995 film has gone down as one of the biggest box office bombs in history.
Grossing a measly $18.5 million on an approximate $92 million budget, Cutthroat Island effectively torpedoed the already struggling Carolco Pictures.
But what accounts for the film’s wild underperformance with audiences? And does Cutthroat Island truly deserve such an infamous reputation?…
Read full article