The movie was optimistically released on over 600 screens in the US, which qualifies it as as major or “wide” release.
It took $116,000 in total – an average of $190 per screen – across the entire weekend on an $8million budget, which qualifies it a major bomb.
Based on the Martin Amis novel, the film has had a terrible road to the big screen, with Johnny Depp’s ex, Heard, demanding her naked scenes were cut, resulting in the producers suing her for $10million. Heard counter-sued citing a nudity clause. In fact, the messy saga has been almost as messy as the actress’ divorce from Depp.
The director David Cullen sued the producers for changing his final cut of the movie and it has been stuck in limbo for three years while all the cases were settled. Unfortunately, it now appear the film should have stayed in limbo.
Critics savaged the movie before release and it currently holds the dreaded 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. A selection of comments included: “Quite simply, horrendous – a trashy, tortured misfire from beginning to end.”
“Adaptation of great 1989 novel by Martin Amis with Billy Bob Thornton, Amber Heard, Jim Sturgess and Johnny Depp a complete mess.”
“This isn’t finally coming out into theatres, it’s escaping into them after a battle to rightly hide it.”
Not only does Amis agree, the director added: “I’ve read the reviews. I agree with them.”
Heard plays the protagonist, Nicola Six, who discovers she is about to be killed.
Unfortunately, it is the film that has been murdered by the critics and audiences.
Amis offered some explanation, adding: “The film is rather confusing as it opens and it could’ve done with a lot more clarity in its first half or so. That’s all I can say. I mean, I never thought it would be a popular film.”
However, he praised the stars: “I thought the central relationship was moving, between Amber Heard and Billy Bob Thornton, both very strong actors. That’s the kernel of the book, and same with the film.”
As Heard’s divorce from Depp dragged on, he implied that she had an affair with co-star Billy Bob Thornton on the London Fields set. Thornton denied all the allegations.
The film has the second worst opening of all time in the US, after 2008’s Proud American.
London Fields currently has no schedued UK release date