Tarzan has never made a box-office blockbuster so why does Hollywood persist?

By Michael Idato
Updated July 13 2016 - 10:08am, first published July 7 2016 - 10:49am
Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard in the film <i>The Legend of Tarzan</i>, which has been panned by critics and is struggling at the box office. Photo: Jonathan Olley
Margot Robbie and Alexander Skarsgard in the film <i>The Legend of Tarzan</i>, which has been panned by critics and is struggling at the box office. Photo: Jonathan Olley
B-grade but brilliant ...  Johnny Weismuller starred as the King of the Jungle between 1932 and 1948. Here he is in <i>Tarzan's New York Adventure</i>.
B-grade but brilliant ... Johnny Weismuller starred as the King of the Jungle between 1932 and 1948. Here he is in <i>Tarzan's New York Adventure</i>.
Christopher Lambert in <i>Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes</i>.
Christopher Lambert in <i>Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes</i>.
Miles O'Keefe and Bo Derek in <i>Tarzan, the Ape Man</i>.
Miles O'Keefe and Bo Derek in <i>Tarzan, the Ape Man</i>.
In this photo released in 1955 by RKO, Gordon Scott, the screen's eleventh Tarzan, makes his debut as Tarzan in <i>Tarzan's Hidden Jungle</i>," as he is shown in this undated photo with actress Vera Miles who plays UN nurse, and Zippy, the chimp, as Cheta.
In this photo released in 1955 by RKO, Gordon Scott, the screen's eleventh Tarzan, makes his debut as Tarzan in <i>Tarzan's Hidden Jungle</i>," as he is shown in this undated photo with actress Vera Miles who plays UN nurse, and Zippy, the chimp, as Cheta.
<i>Tarzan and the Jungle Boy</i> ... Mike Henry and  Alizia Gur in 1967.
<i>Tarzan and the Jungle Boy</i> ... Mike Henry and Alizia Gur in 1967.
Disney's animated movie <i>Tarzan</i>
Disney's animated movie <i>Tarzan</i>

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