Part 5/9:
Despite early adaptations, Fox faced significant challenges again with the now-infamous Cleopatra. Initially set at a $5 million budget, it escalated to an astonishing $40 million—more than twice the highest budget at that time. Its failure to recover such costs, coupled with widespread audience shifts, put the studio on the brink of collapse. Yet, a series of successful films such as The Sound of Music and Star Wars helped stabilize Fox’s fortunes once again, proving its resilience despite shaky periods.