Henry Cavill Argylle box office flop and future movies continue to draw attention, especially after Argylle, a spy thriller released in early 2024, failed to perform at theaters despite its star-studded cast and large budget. Bryce Dallas Howard, Cavill’s co-star, recently offered candid insights about the film’s disappointing performance, and shed light on how she views such setbacks in her career, while hinting at what’s next for Cavill.
Argylle’s Disappointing Return Despite High Hopes
Argylle, directed by Matthew Vaughn and featuring Henry Cavill alongside names like Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Cena, and Dua Lipa, was launched with a reported $200 million budget. However, the film didn’t meet expectations, earning less than half its production costs and becoming one of the year’s largest box office letdowns. The widespread appeal of the cast and the anticipation around the movie amplified the reaction to its poor box office showing.
When speaking with The Independent about her experiences in the industry and Argylle’s reception, Howard explained her emotional perspective regarding films that don’t succeed financially:
“You can always see it coming while you’re making it. I’ve never been shocked when something doesn’t work. But I’m just an actor – you’re there to serve a director’s vision. If a movie doesn’t turn out the way that you envisioned, you can barely feel disappointed because it’s not yours. You’re not the person who’s building the thing.”
—Bryce Dallas Howard, Argylle Actress
The film received a notably low critics’ score of 33% on Rotten Tomatoes, though general audiences rated it significantly higher at 70%. This disparity demonstrated the conflicted response to Argylle from industry professionals and the public alike. Bryce Dallas Howard revealed that her father, celebrated filmmaker Ron Howard, has a very different reaction to box office disappointments, allowing herself less emotional investment than her father when projects underperform. Her ability to remain detached from the final results appears to help her maintain focus as an actor, despite having also been part of box office successes.
What the Future Holds for Henry Cavill’s Film Lineup
Looking ahead, Henry Cavill is slated to take on several major projects. Among them is a live-action adaptation of Voltron, based on the well-known television series. However, there is uncertainty surrounding how Voltron will reach audiences. Reports surfaced as filming neared completion that Amazon might opt to release the movie directly to its streaming platform rather than in theaters. Given the substantial production budget related to both the calibre of the cast, which includes Sterling K. Brown and Alba Baptista, and the heavy use of visual effects, bypassing a theatrical release could limit the film’s overall earnings potential.
Rawson Marshall Thurber, chosen to direct Voltron, will be overseeing a cast built for blockbuster appeal, suggesting high ambitions for the project even as its distribution path remains in question. Such business decisions highlight an evolving trend for big-budget features in today’s entertainment landscape, where streaming alternatives can sometimes seem at odds with financial goals for star-driven content.
Streaming Availability and Ongoing Coverage
Currently, Argylle can be watched on Apple TV+, providing a second chance for audiences to experience the film outside of its initial box office performance. As the industry turns attention to upcoming projects for both Bryce Dallas Howard and Henry Cavill, organizations like The Independent and Collider continue offering updates, keeping fans informed about new developments and the next phase for these prominent actors. The outcomes of these projects may sway how industry observers assess the ongoing shifts from theatrical releases to direct streaming premieres, especially after the lessons learned from Argylle’s release and its aftermath.
