Superman soars once again as the newest movie based on the iconic superhero lives on in the silver screen this season. Man of Steel, the latest film about Clark Kent and Kryptonian alter ego, is the first installment of a planned reboot for the epic franchise. The early success of the film, which was released on June 14, is a great opportunity for body jewelry retailers to offer Superman-related merchandise to their customers who are loyal fans of the man of steel.
As a testament to Superman’s unwavering immortality, Man of Steel has earned over $210 million as of June 22, 2013 and an estimated $188.3 million in other countries, for a total of $398.306 million worldwide. The film earned $202.1 million on its opening weekend, marking Warner Bros’ third highest advance night/midnight opening and the biggest advance night/midnight debut for a non-sequel. It has already blasted through Toy Story 3’s record of $110.3 million for the highest opening weekend in June. Man of Steel’s opening weekend gross is second-highest opening weekend for 2013, just behind Iron Man 3 ($174.1 million) and also second-highest among non-sequels behind The Hunger Games ($152.5 million).
Though there is much to be admired on many aspects of the film, the portrayal of Kal-El’s internal struggle for one, the movie has gathered average to mixed reviews. Despite the lack of raving comments on the plot or storyline, it cannot be denied that Man of Steel did its job right and that is to call moviegoers to the cinemas and refresh their attention by putting Superman back to their present memories.
Taking advantage of the spotlight currently pointed at Superman today is a chance that body jewelry retailers must not take for granted. Being one of the most beloved and easily recognizable comic book character in popular culture, Superman branded merchandise are flying off the shelves at the moment due to the movie’s release. The tie-in trend is almost always seen whenever a blockbuster film is released, putting icons and insignias front and center to the capture the masses’ attention. Cross-merchandising and cross-promotion are inevitable and at such events, retailers who carry related products must be on the look out for the expected high consumer demand.
Retailers and consumers alike can now choose among hundreds of available designs and style of Superman body jewelry products. From body piercing jewelry (plugs, labrets, belly chains, and tapers) to casual costume jewelry (rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants), Superman’s ubiquitous branding is flooding the market. Retailers who still do not have cater officially licensed products can be missing out on the opportunity these merchandise can provide whenever films such as the Man of Steel are released. Famous figures like Superman have survived and were even able to ingrain themselves to popular culture for decades, which just goes to show retailers that stocking up on related products is a good investment. Superman like many other superheroes or popular icons will stay in our culture for more years to come and products with their branding or insignias will surely always have a demand in the market.
According to reports, the sequel to the Man of Steel is already underway and the second installment of the rebooted franchise will be released on 2014. This means any inventory of official Superman related products will still have value in a year after this one. Retailers who want further reassurance that Superman merchandise will continue to be in demand in the future would be delighted to know that the screenwriter, David S. Goyer, had already signed a three-film deal (for Man of Steel and its sequel plus a Justice League film which features Superman).
Superman’s character may be 75 years old but he remains to be one of the truest national cultural icons in the United States and the Western World. For inspiring three generations, Superman truly deserves to be immortalized in comics, film, and even body jewelry.