AceShowbiz - Remember when Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson took to social media to claim his superhero film wasn’t a failure? This came amid reports that the movie was set to lose hundreds of millions of dollars for Warner Bros., despite being positioned as the launchpad for a new DC Extended Universe. Black Adam was meant to secure Johnson’s career trajectory, with the actor publicly stating it would be the foundation for the franchise’s future. However, the landscape shifted dramatically when James Gunn and Peter Safran rebooted the DC universe, effectively sidelining Black Adam.

The film had a long development period, with Johnson attached to the anti-hero role for over ten years. He eventually teamed up again with his Jungle Cruise director, Jaume Collet-Serra, and released the movie in 2022. Extensive reshoots pushed the budget close to $260 million, emphasizing the studio’s high hopes. Despite Johnson highlighting the movie’s 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, critics were far less enthusiastic, awarding Black Adam a 39% critics’ score. The consensus read, "Black Adam may end up pointing the way to an exciting future for DC films, but as a standalone experience, it’s a wildly uneven letdown."

Over time, the reality became clear: Black Adam underperformed significantly. Its total domestic gross of $168 million was surpassed in under two weeks by another major release, Project Hail Mary, starring Ryan Gosling. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, Project Hail Mary has emerged as 2026’s biggest blockbuster, earning more than $300 million against a $200 million budget.

This sci-fi adventure, based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, features Gosling as an astronaut tasked with saving Earth from an impending ice age by traveling to a distant galaxy. The film’s critical acclaim is reflected in its 95% critics’ score and an impressive 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Industry analysts anticipate Project Hail Mary will surpass the $400 million mark worldwide soon, thereby overtaking the lifetime gross of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune.

The commercial success and positive reception of Project Hail Mary contrast sharply with the fate of Black Adam. While Johnson had pinned much on his superhero movie to launch a new franchise, the film’s lackluster reviews and disappointing box office returns led to the franchise’s reboot and the character’s removal from future plans.

Meanwhile, Project Hail Mary continues to attract audiences who are eager to see it multiple times, ensuring sustained box office revenue. The film’s blend of science fiction, adventure, and compelling storytelling has resonated with viewers and critics alike, solidifying its status as a major hit in 2026.

As the film industry evolves, the contrasting fortunes of these two movies highlight the unpredictable nature of box office success. Dwayne Johnson’s gamble on Black Adam did not pay off as hoped, but Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary has clearly struck a chord with audiences worldwide.

For continued updates on box office trends and upcoming releases, stay tuned to Collider.