Entertainment
Ant-Man 3 Budget Reveals Hundreds Of Millions Spent For Tiny Profit
By Brian Myers
| Published
Financial disclosures released by Disney have recently revealed that the mega-company’s total expenditures for the latest Ant-Man film exceeded its box office haul despite the eye-popping budget. While on the surface, it would seem that this turn of events might frustrate studio brass, there’s more to the losses than meets the eye. The company was able to take advantage of a financial incentive given to studios by the British government, leading to a net profit of less than $90,000 USD.
It Didn’t Lose Money
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania debuted last February and was far from the box office smash hit that others before it in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have proven to be, weighed down by the immense budget, a disappointing villain, and a VFX scandal. The film managed to gross a bit more than $476 million in ticket sales, which production studio Disney was entitled to half of. However, when considering the cost of making the movie, this cut meant that Mickey Mouse and the company were staring down the barrel of a $92.05 million loss.
Typically, a film studio will mask its profit and losses with the overall budget that includes its other films. Being able to dodge the itemization of any one particular film’s budget makes each endeavor appear to be a bit better, even when the studio might be holding onto a box office bomb. The studio’s decision to film in England meant two distinct things for the company: a full legal disclosure of its overall budget as mandated by British law AND a cash reimbursement.
Saved By A British Tax Credit
When choosing to shoot the latest Ant-Man movie in the country, Disney was forced to file financial statements that contained disclosures that included everything in the budget from material costs to the salary contributions of each staff member. These financial filings show that Disney received $327 million in revenue plus another $2.8 million in miscellaneous income. The total costs were reflected to be $388 million, leading to a pre-tax loss of more than $58 million.
But, the tax credit given to studios by Britain gave Ant-Man’s studio enough to capture a bit of a gain. The government reimbursed Disney up to 25.5 percent of what it actually spent in the nation, leading to $58,281,661 credit. By the time analysts reached the bottom line, the budget numbers reflect a net profit of $88,236 for Disney.
The Government Requires Transparency
To qualify for the reimbursement, a minimum of 10 percent of the total production costs needed to be spent inside the United Kingdom. Film studios will set up additional film production companies inside the country so that they can show the financials. This separate company must be “responsible for pre-production, principal photography, and post-production,” and well as for the final edited version being delivered.
As this reimbursement can be rather hefty, the government in Britain forces any studio wishing to take advantage of the tax credit to show all of their cards. Whether it’s a big company like Disney shooting Ant-Man sequels or smaller studios filming an independent feature, the budget rules apply to all straight across the board. A film that results in a profit gets the reimbursement as a credit toward taxes owed, while a flop gets a cash reimbursement against the funds spent to make the movie.
Entertainment
BookCon 2026: Authors Rachel Reid, Stephanie Archer talk hockey romance and how it could change the sport for the better
With the fervor of Heated Rivalry, there’s a fierce desire among book readers for even more hockey. On Sunday, April 19, at BookCon, the “You Had Me at Hockey: A Look at One of Sports Romance’s Hottest Genres”, authors Rachel Reid (Heated Rivalry, Game Changer), Emily Rath (Pucking Around), Ngozi Ukazu (Check Please), Stephanie Archer (The Wild Card), and Kate Cochrane (Wake Up, Nat & Darcy) were joined by moderator and fellow author Bal Khabra (Collide) to discuss the rise and continued success of hockey romance.
Khabra kicked off the panel, asking just how hockey became so popular. Ukazu joked that it was as if the genre “escaped containment,” like when the Omegaverse went mainstream, while Reid described the mystery around hockey, saying, “what [the players] are doing seems impossible.” Archer also added that the sport itself is exceptionally hard on the body, and the celebrity around players, especially in Canada, is fun to play with.
But there’s more to the genre’s success than the tropes. “It has to be said,” Rath argued, “that the cornerstone of why this is so popular in publishing is racism.” She went on to say that straight, white women’s voices dominated the romance genre for so long, pointing out that hockey is also the whitest sport. Among major league sports, the NHL is the most predominantly white. In 2022, ESPN reported that 83.6% of league players and staff were white, compared to the NFL, where 25-27% of players are white, or the NBA, where white players make up 17.5% of the league.
Mashable Top Stories
Zooming into the genre, the authors also spoke about the writing process. They dove into the deeper aspects of their work, even the smut. Rath said, “I think the least sexy thing you can ever do is write a sex scene.” A similar sentiment came up during Reid’s Saturday panel, where she described using the sex scenes to further the emotional arc. When readers ask authors if they can skip the spice, Archer says of her own books, “No, you can’t skip the sex scenes. You’re missing so much character development if you don’t go on the journey with them.”
The panel turned to the future, too. Many of the authors write BIPOC and queer representation into their novels, in a genre that often centers on whiteness and homophobia. “We’re writing the world as we want it to be,” Rath said.
Reid has found that there is progress toward a future that these authors and their readers want to see, saying that the NHL is interested in working with them. “People on the inside, they really want to work toward change and want to make this happen.”
With the hockey fandom at an all-time high, there’s a whole team behind these authors ready to drive change.
Entertainment
Save on gas (and everything else) with a $15 BJ’s membership
TL;DR: Score a one-year BJ’s membership for $15 (reg. $60) and save up to 20¢/gal. on gas through April 30 — just in time for spring shopping and road trips.
Credit: BJ’s Wholesale Club
The warmer weather tends to sneak up fast, and so do those grocery bills and gas receipts. A one-year membership to BJ’s Wholesale Club is one of those simple upgrades that can make everyday shopping feel a little more manageable.
You can currently grab a Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal for just $15 (reg. $60) through April 30, which opens the door to savings across groceries, household essentials, and even your weekend cookout prep.
Mashable Deals
Let’s start with the obvious, though. Gas prices. Members already get everyday savings at BJ’s Gas, but during this promo window, you’ll get an extra 15¢ off per gallon stacked on top of the usual 5¢ discount — bringing your total to 20¢ off per gallon through April 30.
Inside the club, it’s all about stretching your dollar further. BJ’s is known for offering competitive pricing on national brands, plus a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, bakery items, and deli favorites. Whether you’re planning a backyard BBQ, stocking up for a party, or just trying to cut down on weekly grocery runs, buying in bulk can help simplify things.
Mashable Trend Report
There’s also something to be said for convenience. Fewer trips to the store, more options in one place, and access to seasonal items that make spring and summer feel extra special.
Get a one-year Club Card Membership with BJ’s Easy Renewal® for just $15 (reg. $60) and enjoy an extra 15¢ off per gallon at any of the 199 BJ’s gas stations through April 30.
Grabbing this deal? Build your cart to $100+ and score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2021 free with code GWP4MAC (for Mac) or GWP4WIND (for Windows) through April 19.
Gift with $100+ purchase promo ends April 19, 2026. Exclusions apply. Only one promo code applicable per order. Prices subject to change.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
Entertainment
This $43 bundle quietly upgrades your entire PC experience
TL;DR: This rare Microsoft bundle deal gives you a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro for only $42.97 (reg. $418.99) through May 17.
$42.97
$418.99
Save $376.02
Looking for an affordable way to make your old PC feel new again? If you don’t have the funds to buy a brand new computer, don’t worry. The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro Bundle is the next best thing, offering your computer a total upgrade for only $42.97 through May 17.
Don’t count out your dusty old PC. This Microsoft bundle is here to give it a total facelift for less than $50. It kicks off with a lifetime license to some of the brand’s most popular tools — Microsoft Office, which you’ll pay for once and enjoy without any subscription fees.
Mashable Deals
You’ll get permanent access to a suite of eight helpful apps with Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows. It includes staples that have been around for decades, like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. You’ll also get newer favorites like Teams, OneNote, Access, and Publisher.
Once you’ve loaded the apps onto your device, you can upgrade your OS to Windows 11 Pro. It’s an operating system made for modern professionals, with tools that support your workflow. Enjoy a more powerful search experience, improved voice typing, a seamless interface, snap layouts, and much more.
You can rest easy knowing Windows 11 Pro takes your cybersecurity seriously. You’ll have biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and advanced antivirus defenses to keep your data secure.
Mashable Deals
Show your PC some love with the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows and Windows 11 Pro bundle for only $42.97 (reg. $418.99) now until May 17.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
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Nothing comes easily for M's ahead of finale vs. Rangers
