Five upcoming movies that are destined to fail
Some films write themselves off before they even hit the screen. They ruffle the wrong feathers from the start. While other movies unexpectedly become successes, more often than not, they perform exactly as expected and flop on release. From disastrous creative choices to clumsy franchise additions, a range of factors can lead these projects straight to failure.
Like red flags in relationships, there are signs throughout the production process. The fast pace of media today has created a space for unexpected and unwarranted controversies to arise. And, because of cancel culture, these controversies can instantly mar a project’s potential for success.
Conflicts and egos can also prevent the creation of a film, leading to its impending demise. Whispers and rumours fuel this fire, with the audience already expecting disappointment. Gossip becomes reality when the film finally hits the screen.
To quote one essential, hairy, wise man (Hagrid in Harry Potter), “What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does” – and if you don’t follow your life by Hagrid’s rules, then more fool you. There is little in store for these films regarding critical or commercial success, and the failure they will experience feels inevitable.
Five upcoming movies that are destined to fail:
Saw XI – Kevin Greutert (September 26th, 2025)
The 11th instalment of the Saw series has been facing trouble for some time now. Its prequel was a surprise box office hit, thanks in part to a twist ending that audiences loved. That success quickly led to talks of another sequel, and the director soon signed on. The film was initially set for release in September 2024.
But in April 2024, it faced an unexpected delay, coinciding with the announcement of another project. Saw XI was pushed to September 2025. Though the creative side of production reportedly went smoothly, rumours of conflict between producers over business decisions began to circulate. By spring 2024, a script had been completed, but a firm release date has yet to be confirmed. Producers have said the franchise will continue with more films.
The Blade – Yann Demange (November 5th, 2025)
Marvel has struggled to find consistent success since 2019, and its upcoming release, The Blade, may not reverse that trend. The project, announced in 2019 shortly after Avengers: Endgame, has faced multiple setbacks.
The original director, Bassam Tariq, exited due to scheduling conflicts. More recently, reports suggested the current director may also be stepping away. The writers’ strike in May 2023 added another delay. While that issue has now been resolved, the long production timeline and ongoing complications have left fans with low expectations for the film.
The Old Guard 2 – Victoria Mahoney (July 2nd, 2025)
Another sequel that may be on shaky ground is The Old Guard 2. Its predecessor was a major success for Netflix in 2020, but while the sequel was reportedly completed as early as August 2022, it didn’t receive a release date until recently.
The delay was largely due to a temporary post-production shutdown following a managerial shake-up at Netflix. The film is now scheduled for release in July, but with five years having passed since the original, audience recall may have significantly faded.
Beatles Quadrilogy – Sam Mendes (April 2028)
Sam Mendes is preparing a four-film collection, each focused on one member of The Beatles. There’s significant buzz around the project, given the star-studded cast and the enduring legacy of the band. Still, questions remain about its potential success. The Beatles: Get Back already offered a detailed behind-the-scenes look at the group, so Mendes’ films will need to offer something new, both in context and perspective.
The release strategy may also be a challenge. Each film is scheduled to arrive separately in April 2028, but asking audiences to return to the cinema four times could prove costly and may impact overall turnout.
Michael – Antoine Fuqua (2025)
This biographical musical drama based on the life of Michael Jackson has hit a roadblock. Filming originally wrapped in May 2024, but the production encountered a legal issue that now requires reshooting around one-third of the film.
The film was set to address the sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson. However, due to a legal oversight, the team only discovered after completion that the 1993 settlement included a clause preventing the dramatisation of the accuser’s family in future productions. The team is now considering splitting the project into two parts.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Beatles Newsletter
All the latest stories about The Beatles from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.