There’s a little trepidation online about the forthcoming release of Wonder Woman, specifically whether it is being promoted enough. After the juvenile and chauvinistic reaction to the female-led Ghostbusters reboot last summer and a certain event occurring on November 8 last year, many fans, particularly female fans, want to see justice done for the first female superhero movie of the modern era. Plus, it’s freakin’ Wonder Woman, the most well-known female superhero there is. There’s a palpable and understandable need to see her succeed (to say nothing of the film’s place in the still-evolving DCEU).
The question is this: is Warner Bros., the studio, doing its due diligence in properly promoting Wonder Woman? According to Vanity Fair‘s Rebecca Keegan, the numbers say yes.
Let’s look at some data: according to iSpot, which tracks TV advertising, W.B. has spent $3,043,212 so far on ads for Wonder Woman. At five weeks out, the studio had spent $2,645,643 on ads for Suicide Squad. Wonder Woman ads aired during the Kids Choice Awards and the N.C.A.A. finals, and there were promotions for the film at South by Southwest and Wondercon.
It’s a powerful reminder that perception doesn’t always match reality, because I remember Suicide Squad as a barrage of marketing whereas Wonder Woman’s has felt to some as a dearth. But looking at the money tells us what is really happening. Warner Bros. has invested more in Wonder Woman TV advertising at this point, five weeks from release, than it did for Suicide Squad. More than that, they’ve used big events to reach the widest possible audiences. There’s also the promotions elsewhere, such as Danica Patrick riding in Wonder Woman-themed car for two upcoming NASCAR races.
Personally, I think the film looks great (as you can read in my article embedded at the bottom of the page) and, given the success of the DCEU up to the point financially, I don’t think there’s any reason to think we have another Ghostbusters on our hands. In fact, from what I’ve learned from star Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins, it will be about as inclusive and all-encompassing a film as the superhero herself.
Wonder Woman hits theaters June 2.
Source: Vanity Fair
