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‘Winter’s Tale’ flops: Is Colin Farrell the box office draw he once was?

When was the last time actor Colin Farrell had a hit? Take your time. We’ll wait.

Farrell’s latest film, the fantasy romance "Winter's Tale," flopped in its debut over Valentine’s Day weekend, adding yet another movie to the Irish actor’s ever-growing streak of box office failures. Despite opening in nearly 3,000 theatres across North America, the $60-million drama grossed a paltry $8.1 million at the box office. Ouch.

"Winter's Tale" is the third film in a row starring Farrell to tank, after 2013’s “Dead Man Down” and 2012’s “Seven Psychopaths.” Farrell hasn’t headlined a big hit since 2003’s police flick “S.W.A.T."

In recent years, movies featuring the actor in supporting roles (like the comedy hit “Horrible Bosses,” the animated film “Epic,” and the biopic “Saving Mr. Banks”) have typically fared much better. But big budget tentpoles like 2012’s “Total Recall” remake? Not so much. The $125-million Farrell sci-fi action flick grossed a disappointing $198 million worldwide.

Farrell shot to fame as the antagonist in the 2002 Steven Spielberg blockbuster “Minority Report,” in which he acted opposite Tom Cruise. From there he scored a string of high-profile roles in movies like “The Recruit,” “Daredevil,” “Phone Booth,” “Alexander,” “The New World,” and “Miami Vice.” With the exception of Oliver Stone's "Alexander," Farrell found a lot of success during this period of his career, but “Miami Vice” marked the beginning of a new chapter. The Michael Mann-directed film was a major disappointment despite very high expectations. After "Miami Vice"'s failure, the actor began to focus on smaller films with critically acclaimed directors like Woody Allen ("Cassandra's Dream") and Terry Gilliam ("The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus").

With the arrival of "Total Recall," the actor looked like he was ready to get back into the blockbuster game, but audiences were apparently not ready to welcome him back. So will Farrell ever be the box office breadwinner he once was? Probably not. He's still an incredibly popular performer, but at 37-years-old, his best action hero days are behind him. He'll definitely be involved in future hits, but his upcoming slate of movies look to be angling more for good reviews than big box office numbers.

Farrell will next be seen in the crime thriller "Solace" (opposite Anthony Hopkins), the period piece "Miss Julie" (opposite Jessica Chastain), and the dystopian romance "The Lobster" (opposite Rachel Weisz). All three are potentially good movies, but not exactly what you'd call major studio tentpoles.

"Winter's Tale" is now playing.