After crashing and burning in theaters last year,Argyllehas finally sputtered out on streaming. The Apple TV+ original has officially dropped out of the platform’s top 10 this week, marking what appears to be the end of the road forHenry Cavill’s$200 million spy thriller misfire. Directed byKingsmanfilmmakerMatthew Vaughn,Argyllewas pitchedas the launch of a globe-trotting new franchise with Cavill at the center. Instead, it became one of the biggest box office disasters of the year, grossing just $96.2 million worldwide—less than half of what it cost to make.
The film featured a loaded cast, includingBryce Dallas Howard,Sam Rockwell,Bryan Cranston,Samuel L. Jackson,Dua Lipa, andJohn Cena, but even that couldn’t save it from critical blowback and audience indifference. Rotten Tomatoes holds the film at a 33% critics score and a 70% audience score—a mixed reception that never translated to buzz, despite Apple’s heavy marketing.
In a recent interview with The Independent, Howard offered a surprisingly candid take on the film’s failure—and revealed that she, and likely Cavill too, wasn’t surprised by the outcome.
“You can always see it coming while you’re making it,” Howard said. “I’ve never been shocked when something doesn’t work. But I’m just an actor – you’re there to serve a director’s vision. If a movie doesn’t turn out the way that you envisioned, you can barely feel disappointed because it’s not yours. You’re not the person who’s building the thing.”
That comment might raise eyebrows, but Howard was quick to add that her father, legendary directorRon Howard, doesn’t see it the same way:
“He breaks down emotionally when his films don’t do well. He can’t understand why I’m not the same. But I’ve just let that go.”
What Is Henry Cavill Making Next?
Cavill’s next big swing isVoltron, a live-action remake of the cult classic animated series. The film recently wrapped, withRed NoticedirectorRawson Marshall Thurberat the helm and co-starsSterling K. BrownandAlba Baptistajoining the cast. But even before its release,Voltronmay be on thin ice—rumours have surfaced thatAmazon is considering sending it directly to streaming, skipping theaters altogether. Cavill will also star inHighlanderalongsideRussell Crowe, forChad Stahelski.
Argylleis now streaming on Apple TV+, if you’re curious to see the movie that somehow made a $200 million spy caper starring Henry Cavill andDua Lipafeel forgettable.
