Ryan Gosling’s Biggest Box Office Flop Killed a Franchise, but Not for the Reason He Claims

Image: Columbia Pictures/Warner Bros/Polygon

A full decade has passed since Shane Black’s sharp-witted buddy cop film, The Nice Guys, graced the big screen. Yet, fans are still waiting for a follow-up. According to star Ryan Gosling, the culprit behind this sequel drought is surprisingly specific.

“Angry Birds finished us off,” Gosling remarked in a recent interview. He has reiterated this sentiment multiple times, half-jokingly insisting that because their opening weekend went head-to-head with the animated feature, The Angry Birds Movie effectively derailed their momentum.

While the two films did indeed debut on the same day, does the data actually back up Gosling’s grudge? Even if his rivalry with the feathered franchise is tongue-in-cheek, we decided to consult an expert to settle the score—mostly because we’re still holding out hope for The Nice Guys 2.

Both films premiered on May 20, 2016. While The Angry Birds Movie soared to a $38 million opening, The Nice Guys brought in a more modest $11 million. However, the buddy comedy didn’t just lose to the birds; it finished in fourth place. Captain America: Civil War held the second-place spot, while Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising—a comedy starring Seth Rogen, Rose Byrne, and Zac Efron—claimed third place with roughly $22 million.

In reality, that third-place contender might be the true villain of this story.

Shawn Robbins, Director of Movie Analytics at Fandango and founder of Box Office Theory, notes that the landscape was crowded. “When those films opened ten years ago, Neighbors 2 was also in the mix. Given that it was a highly anticipated sequel to a previous hit, it likely cannibalized the same adult comedy audience much more than the family-oriented Angry Birds ever could have,” Robbins explains.

Robbins further emphasizes that it is highly unusual for a family-centric film to significantly impact the box office performance of an adult-skewing comedy. Typically, only massive, all-ages tentpoles like Inside Out 2 or the Toy Story franchise have the kind of market dominance required to sway theater attendance in such a way.

Ultimately, a studio’s decision to greenlight a sequel is rarely based on a single weekend. While a strong debut helps, sustained interest and positive word-of-mouth are equally vital. By the end of its theatrical run, The Nice Guys grossed $62 million. However, against a reported $50 million production budget, it likely struggled to turn a profit for Warner Bros. at the time.

Regardless of the original financial outcome, the film has blossomed into a beloved cult classic over the last decade. With the immense star power still held by Gosling and co-star Russell Crowe, the potential for a revival remains.

“Never say never,” Robbins adds. “After all, we’re seeing a Spaceballs sequel arrive next year.”

Perhaps a return to the world of The Nice Guys isn’t entirely off the table. Until then, maybe Ryan Gosling should stop blaming the birds and start giving the side-eye to Seth Rogen.

Source: Polygon