Award-winning actor Robert De Niro headlined a psychological thriller that hit U.S. theaters 30 years ago today. The film featured an ensemble cast that included Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo and Benicio del Toro. But despite its star power, the movie flopped at the box office.
The Fan was released in North America on Aug. 16, 1996. Directed by Tony Scott, the thriller follows Gil Renard, a troubled knife salesman going through a difficult period in his life. De Niro portrayed Gil, who develops an obsessive fixation on Bobby Rayburn, the San Francisco Giants’ newest recruit.
Baseball becomes his main passion as his personal life crumbles and his relationship with his young son becomes strained. Snipes played Rayburn, while Leguizamo portrayed his sports agent, Manny. Del Toro played rival baseball player Juan Primo. Gil’s obsession eventually leads to kidnapping and murder.
Robert De Niro Thriller The Fan Failed to Turn Star Power Into Box-Office Success
According to The Numbers, The Fan earned about $6.2 million during its opening weekend and ranked No. 4 at the domestic box office. Its opening weekend accounted for 33.7% of its eventual domestic gross.
The movie’s box office declined sharply after its opening weekend. It earned $3.3 million in its second weekend and $2.5 million in its third. The film finished its domestic run with about $18.5 million. The final domestic gross amounted to only about one-third of the film’s $55 million production budget.
The movie also received a largely negative response from critics. The Fan holds a 38% score from 29 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics felt that while Scott’s stylized direction created an unsettling atmosphere, the story lacked enough thrills.
The Fan stands as a notable example of a star-studded production that failed to translate its talent into commercial success. Its disappointing run shows that even major stars cannot guarantee a box-office hit.
Related: How One of Robert De Niro’s Most Iconic Characters Changed Men’s Fashion
Source: Life – Fitness – mensjournal
