‘Marry Me’ and the Return of Box Office Rom Coms
The likely success of Universal Pictures’ predictable yet refreshing upcoming romantic comedy.
Universal Pictures is getting back in the romantic comedy game with their upcoming movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez. After significant delays, ‘Marry Me’ is set for a Valentine’s Day release, reminding us of the familiar mid-February box office rom coms of pre-pandemic times.
Based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby, ‘Marry Me’ tells the story of a pop star who impulsively chooses to marry a math teacher on stage at the concert his daughter dragged him to. It’s definitely a classic “unexpected” romance, likely with few surprises beyond what we see in the trailer. But this is what you want for this kind of movie. It’s meant to be comforting and entertaining. A modern take on the typical high-concept rom com with a simple hook. Not to mention, the reliable Valentine’s Day release strategy. Rom coms in theaters have been lacking during the pandemic and even before having risen on streaming landscapes. It’s comforting to see their return at the box office.
While its relatively simple concept is appealing, I believe the casting is what will really draw audiences to theaters. Some say the combination of Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez is odd, but I think that’s why it’s intriguing. Beyond her music, Jennifer Lopez has been in several beloved rom coms like ‘The Wedding Planner’ and ‘Maid in Manhattan.’ She will be able to bring consistent rom com viewers, along with a less predictable audience Owen Wilson might bring with his signature ‘Wedding Crashers’ and ‘Zoolander’ humor. The combination is pretty shocking, yet it might work because of a more refreshing take on the unlikely couple. Not only do the characters appear very different - international pop star and divorced math teacher - but the actors alone are an unlikely pair.
In addition, Jennifer Lopez has been in the press a lot recently for her reunited relationship with Ben Affleck after about twenty years. This has definitely gotten people excited for her upcoming projects - including a new album just for the movie. And interestingly enough, Lopez’s top rom coms were released around the time the two were dating the first time around. I wouldn’t be surprised if nostalgia from that era of the early 2000s would attract fans of hers from that time. The combination of her reunited relationship and past movies may elicit a desire for comfort and romance in potential audiences.
‘Marry Me’ will likely achieve decent box office success along with its simultaneous release on Peacock. Other than drawing audiences to theaters alone, it may also attract new Peacock subscribers, as the service is still gaining traction.
Watch the trailer here…