The controversial slavery drama The Birth of a Nation looks likely to make a hefty loss for Fox Searchlight after failing to attract a significant audience.
Birth of a Nation is released on 9 December in the UK and 2 February in Australia.
The studio paid $17.5m for Nate Parker’s film after it won the grand jury prize and audience award at Sundance film festival in January, setting a festival record.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Fox Searchlight had spent an estimated $18m on marketing, and expects to lose $5m to $10m.