Part 5/11:
Compounding the problem was the marketing strategy. Originally, estimates suggested a $150 million marketing budget, in line with other large blockbuster releases like Marvel films and The Little Mermaid. However, Disney chose to drastically cut the marketing spend to approximately $100 million, a clear sign that internal factions and decision-makers may have anticipated poor reception—potentially due to early reactions at the Cannes Film Festival, where embargoed reviews hinted at lukewarm or negative impressions.