With the critically dissed Elektra finishing only fifth in gross ticket sales over the weekend -- behind even Time Warner's
Marvel, of course, is ultimately at the mercy of the movie studios. All of Marvel's movies, including winners like Spider-Man, X-Men, and the original Trinity, and its more disappointing multiplex performers like The Hulk and Elektra, feed off its popular characters and storylines, yet the studios' handiwork is what separates the blockbusters from the turkeys.
So what about Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendation Marvel? Well, the highly anticipated Fantastic Four movie comes out in July. And Sony
Marvel may have another worry, too. With Time Warner breathing new life into its Superman and Batman franchises, it's not as if Marvel has the market cornered on popular superhero action flicks.
The good news is that live-action celluloid isn't Marvel's lone source of revenue. From merchandise deals to Activision
So, yes, it was surprising to see Elektra bomb over the weekend. The Marvel engine does rely on a hit film to help propel many of its other revenue channels. But as everyone knows, one body blow doesn't mean the end of a superhero.
More Marvel-ous takes:
Did you catch Elektra over the weekend? Was it really that bad? Is Marvel really at the mercy of a perpetual hit movie? All this and more -- in theMarveldiscussion board. Only on Fool.com.
Longtime Fool contributor Rick Munarriz didn't see the movie over the weekend. However, when he went to catch In Good Company on Friday night, Elektra was the only movie sold out. He does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story. He is a member of the Rule Breakers analytical team, seeking out the next great growth stock early in its stage of defiance.