The trailers had promised a horrorshow. It still took us all aback. Entire rows of critics were left agog, feeling strapped in like Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange.
This was viral failure, memed everywhere, and penetrating mainstream reporting beyond even a Heaven's Gate. It was the most infamous flop since 2003, grossing approximately a quarter of John Carter's total.
Within about a week, it was noticed that Universal had quietly pulled the film from Oscar consideration on its website, further solidifying its reputation as a flop.
My favorite anecdote involves the ballet-trained dancers hired to play the troupe of cockroaches. They actually had a dance-off after the casting process, showcasing their incredible talent.
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