How a $103 Million Disney Fantasy Became a Historic Milestone and a Financial Loss
In short: Ava DuVernay made history with her 2018 adaptation of the classic novel, becoming the first Black woman to helm a live-action production with a budget exceeding $100 million. Despite this landmark achievement, the ambitious science fantasy adventure struggled to find its footing, ultimately resulting in a significant box-office deficit for Disney.
The 2018 film adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's 1962 novel was a massive undertaking that spanned years of development. Initially conceived in 2010 with a modest $35 million budget in mind, the project evolved significantly under the guidance of screenwriter Jennifer Lee and director Ava DuVernay. By the time production began in November 2016, the scope had expanded to a $103 million budget. This scale allowed for a global shoot, moving from Los Angeles to the Southern Alps of New Zealand, and a star-studded cast including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Storm Reid.
The narrative follows young Meg Murry on a cosmic quest to rescue her father, an astrophysicist who vanished after researching the tesseract—a method of space travel. Guided by three astral travelers, Meg and her companions traverse planets like Uriel and Camazotz to confront a malevolent force known as the IT. The film aimed to blend high-concept science fantasy with themes of self-acceptance and familial love, with DuVernay specifically noted for her ability to center the experiences of young girls through a diverse lens.
Despite the industry excitement surrounding DuVernay’s historic role, the film’s commercial performance was disappointing. Premiering in February 2018, it faced mixed critical reception and stiff competition at the box office. While it eventually reached a worldwide gross of $133 million, the combined costs of production and marketing were estimated at $250 million. Industry analysis, including reports from Deadline Hollywood, concluded that the project resulted in a financial loss of approximately $130.6 million, marking a difficult chapter for the studio’s high-budget live-action slate.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A Wrinkle in Time (2018 film)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-a-wrinkle-in-time-2018-film.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
