The Legend of Tarzan (film)

An updated version of Tarzan had been in the works since at least 2003, with John August writing.[19] However, by 2008, it was reported that a different version, co-written by Stephen Sommers and Stuart Beatle, that was said to resemble the Pirates of the Caribbean series, was in development.[20][21] By 2011, Craig Brewer, who also rewrote a version of the script, was set to direct the film,[22] although this did not come to pass. Instead, David Yates was chosen to direct in 2012.[4] Other directors in the running included Susanna White and Gary Ross.[23] In April 2013, it was reported that the production was temporarily suspended due to budgetary concerns.[24]

For a while, producer Jerry Weintraub wanted swimmer Michael Phelps to play the title role, feeling that he was the heir apparent to Johnny Weissmuller, the actor who had famously played Tarzan, and who was also a prominent competitive swimmer. Weintraub reportedly changed his mind after watching Phelps host Saturday Night Live, for only two minutes.[25] Other early contenders for the role included Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy, and Charlie Hunnam.[4][26] On November 14, 2012, Alexander Skarsgård was cast in the title role, the choice of director Yates, while Samuel L. Jackson was being eyed to play Williams in the film.[7] Yates found Skarsgård to be the perfect Tarzan. He liked that he was born in Sweden but had found a career in America, so "he has this wonderful quality of not quite belonging to one or the other", he said.[8] On March 6, 2013, it was reported that Yates wanted Jessica Chastain to play Jane Porter.[27] On September 26, 2013, Christoph Waltz was in talks to play the villain in the film; he was later cast, as Captain Rom.[11]

The studio eyed Margot Robbie and Emma Stone to play the female lead character, Jane Porter.[12] Emma Watson, Sarah Bolger, Georgina Haig, Lucy Hale, Lyndsy Fonseca, Eleanor Tomlinson, Gabriella Wilde, Lucy Boynton and Cressida Bonas were all considered for the part. On January 18, 2014, Robbie was cast in the film, opposite Skarsgård, beating Stone for the role.[14] On June 4, Djimon Hounsou was set to play Chief Mbonga in the film.[15] On June 17, Osy Ikhile was added to the cast to play a supporting role, but the character was not then named.[28] Casper Crump was cast to play Captain Kerchover.[16] The release of the first trailer in December 2015 revealed that Jim Broadbent was also part of the cast.

Principal photography on the film commenced on June 30, 2014, at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire, England.[29][30] Filming had begun on the day an announcement was made for the expansion of the studio.[31] Filming wrapped the same year on October 3.[32] Filming took place for a total of 70 days.[33] According to The Wall Street Journal, shooting the film in Africa would have made the budget even higher.[34]

Making Africa seem authentic was especially important to the filmmakers, since the film was shot in England, except for six weeks in Gabon, filming background by helicopter without the cast. A working waterfall and a 100-foot-long collapsible pier were assembled at Warner Bros.’ Leavesden studios.[34][35] Seven versions of the African jungle were constructed to show different scenery throughout the filming. Plants from Holland were mixed with trees sculpted by the art department. Kedleston Hall stood in for the Greystoke Manor, and a cedar tree on the grounds of Highclere Castle served as the setting for an early pivotal scene between Tarzan and Jane.[35]

All music is composed by Rupert Gregson-Williams, except where noted.

The film was released on October 11, 2016, in traditional formats, Blu-ray, DVD and 4K Blu-ray.[40]

The Legend of Tarzan grossed $126.6 million in the United States and Canada and $230.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $356.7 million.[3] Given its $180 million production budget, it would have had to have earned at least $400 million to break even and justify a sequel. Deadline Hollywood's financial analysts stated that the film lost the studio an estimated $40 million, although the studio itself asserted the film broke even.[41][42]

In the United States and Canada, The Legend of Tarzan opened alongside The BFG and The Purge: Election Year, and was projected to gross to $25–33 million in its opening weekend.[41][43][44] It opened Friday, July 1, 2016 across 3,561 theaters and 6,700 screens, and grossed $14 million on its opening day, including $1.4 million in IMAX showings.[45] This includes $2.6 million it made from Thursday night previews.[46] In its opening weekend, buoyed by positive word of mouth, the film grossed a better-than-expected $38.5 million, of which IMAX contributed $3.9 million, and $45.6 million over its four-day Independence Day holiday frame, finishing second place at the box office behind Finding Dory, but first among new releases. However, despite its opening numbers, Deadline called the film a "dud", due to its lofty budget.[47][48]

Internationally, The Legend of Tarzan received a scattered release pattern, in order to take advantage of the competitive landscape surrounding the 2016 European Championship.[49] It is likely that a recoup of the film's hefty production budget will be dependent on international audiences and returns. Jeff Goldstein, Warner's executive vice president of domestic distribution, told The New York Times, "This property has always really been about the international opportunity."[50] The film opened across 19 markets on the same weekend it debuted in North America, including major territories like Russia and South Korea.[41] In its opening weekend, it grossed $19.3 million on about 6,700 screens, and an IMAX total of $1.2 million from 122 IMAX theaters.[49] In Russia and the CIS, it opened with $3.1 million, debuting in first place at the box office. However, it was the lowest No. 1 opening for a film since April,[51] while in South Korea it debuted at No. 2, with $4 million. In the latter market, it faced significant competition from local films Familyhood and The Hunt, both of which performed strongly.[49][52] In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it came in second place with $4.7 million, including previews, debuting behind the animated The Secret Life of Pets, and in Australia with $3.2 million, behind Finding Dory.[53] Elsewhere, Asia had No. 1 openings in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. The studio also reported No. 1 debuts in Mexico ($4.6 million), Brazil ($3.4 million), Spain ($1.8 million), Italy ($1.6 million), the majority of Eastern European markets, and Puerto Rico.[49][53][54][55] Germany ($2 million), the UAE ($1.6 million), and Japan ($1.5 million) had similar opening figures.[56]

In China – the film's second biggest market – the film was granted a rare release date in the month of July, a peculiar move since July is typically the month when Chinese regulators ban foreign films (including Hollywood films) in order to protect and promote their own local films.[57][58] It opened on Tuesday, July 19, and made $7 million on its opening day. It went on to deliver a six-day opening of around $27 million and a three-day weekend opening of $12 million. Although the opening number was regarded strong, it came in second place, behind Skiptrace, which occupied a market share in excess of 56%, in comparion to The Legend of Tarzan's 16%.[55][59]

In terms of total earnings, its biggest markets outside of the United States are China ($45.1 million), Mexico ($13.7 million) and the U.K. and Ireland ($11.9 million).[60]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 36% based on 241 reviews with an average rating of 5.07/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "The Legend of Tarzan has more on its mind than many movies starring the classic character, but that isn't enough to make up for its generic plot or sluggish pace."[61] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 44 out of 100 based on 41 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[62] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A–" on an A+ to F scale.[63]

Manohla Dargis of The New York Times gave the film a positive review, stating "What makes it more enjoyable than a lot of recycled stories of this type is that the filmmakers have given Tarzan a thoughtful, imperfect makeover."[64] In his review, Peter Travers of Rolling Stone stated "At least it's watchable. In summer, baby, that's high praise."[65]

Peter Debruge of Variety gave the film a negative review, stating "A talky and mostly turgid attempt by British director David Yates to build on the epic vision he brought to the final four Harry Potter movies via another beloved literary hero."[66] Jordan Hoffman of The Guardian criticized the film for its story and writing, stating "Committed performances aren’t enough to save this film from uncomfortable colonial optics, uninspiring CGI and tedious plotlines." The film was also called out for trying to make the source material politically correct and for being a white saviour story.[67]