“This certainly signals a transition period for [Apple] in terms of how they’re going to approach content, especially with big prestigious productions and A-plus list talent like Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese,” Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at Boxoffice Pro, told Yahoo Finance.
The film, which was distributed by Paramount, notched $44 million in its global debut this past weekend — a lukewarm opening considering its estimated $200 million-plus price tag but still a notable feat given its long runtime, coupled with the ongoing actors strike.
The movie will eventually air on Apple TV+ once its theatrical run is complete, although the company has yet to reveal when that will be.
“Studios have certainly remembered how valuable that theatrical window is — and that includes new players like Apple,” Robbins said… “This is a very risk-averse industry,” the analyst continued, noting a company like Apple is often more appealing to A-list actors and directors who’d prefer to pursue more passion projects as opposed to big blockbuster films. “Apple has historically proven itself to be one of those companies that takes risks.”