Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

[The Joker]

Yes, theaters are have really took a hit this year (see the Regal Movie Chain), and with major studios (probably) going with this digital streaming on the same day as release strategy, 2021 is shaping up to deliver yet another heavy blow to the movie theater industry.

I like the theater experience, so I already know what I'm going with.

[thecolorsblend]

In theory, movie theaters will be able to show these films. But if past is prologue, the big chains will most probably boycott them in protest. A fact that AT&T would surely know.

Frankly, I don't think this is directly related to the beer bug. Obviously, we can't overlook that. But the fact is HBO Max is weak sauce. Plain and simple. It hasn't gotten the level of traction AT&T was hoping for. Disney+ is doing well atm and HBO Max doesn't have the content advantages that Disney+ does.

And the Snyder Cut alone won't change those realities.

But AT&T dumping WB's 2020 slate of films onto HBO Max IS a game-changing proposition. For all practical purposes, I think these films WILL streaming-only (because of the above-mentioned likely boycott). Dune, The Matrix 4, Wonder Woman and the rest of them WILL bring people to the platform. How many is up for grabs, of course. But the number will be higher than zero. Probably a lot higher.

With streaming these days, people seem to come for exclusive content but stay for evergreen content. Maybe HBO Max will be the exception. But someone desperate to see Dune just might stick around to watch, say, The Vow. Or if it's The Matrix 4 maybe they'll stick around for something else.

Point is that HBO Max has a decent cross-section of evergreen content. That along with exclusive/new content combined with original content could be enough to make HBO Max more competitive with Disney+.

I can't prove it. But I think that's the play.

Remember, streaming isn't the future anymore. It's the present.

[Silver Nemesis]

I'm sure you're right about that, colours, and if other major studios follow suit it could sound the death knell for theatre chains. They've already been struggling horribly this year, and according to Variety AT&T's announcement resulted in AMC Entertainment's stock plummeting 17%, Cinemark's 21% and the Marcus Corporation's over 11%: https://variety.com/2020/film/news/theater-stocks-warner-bros-hbo-max-matrix-4-dune-1234845702/

"Clearly, Warner Media intends to sacrifice a considerable portion of the profitability of its movie studio division, and that of its production partners and filmmakers, to subsidize its HBO Max startup," said Adam Aron, CEO and president of AMC Entertainment, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "As for AMC, we will do all in our power to ensure that Warner does not do so at our expense.  We will aggressively pursue economic terms that preserve our business."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/amc-theatres-says-warner-bros-streaming-plan-will-sacrifice-studio-profits

Will a filmmaker like Christopher Nolan, who has always advocated the cinema-going experience, continue to work for Warner Bros if he knows the finished product will go straight to HBO Max while the theatre chains refuse to screen it? Will any of the top directors? It's going to be interesting seeing whether or not the revenue from WW84 justifies this strategy.

[The Joker]

https://deadline.com/2020/12/movie-theater-stocks-bounce-back-friday-as-industry-absorbs-warner-bros-2021-plans-1234650642/

[thecolorsblend]

Will a filmmaker like Christopher Nolan, who has always advocated the cinema-going experience, continue to work for Warner Bros if he knows the finished product will go straight to HBO Max while the theatre chains refuse to screen it? Will any of the top directors? It's going to be interesting seeing whether or not the revenue from WW84 justifies this strategy.

I've wondered the same thing. I've also wondered if this deal was originally intended to include Tenet and Nolan put his foot down.

It's an interesting question. WB, the filmmaker's studio, has been a good home for Nolan for a long time. His movies tend to be quite successful. But he's drawn lines in the sand. Shooting on film rather than digital HD, for example. And, as above, with a theatrical release for Tenet.

But Tenet probably lost money (or at best broke even) at the box office. There are valid reasons for why that happened... but it still happened at Nolan's insistence. WB took a bath that any nitwit could've foreseen. By itself, that might not be a huge problem. But rest assured, heads rolled at WB over Nolan standing his ground on that movie. And even all those things taken together might not be a showstopper.

But Tenet holds a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You and I can bemoan the perceived importance of RT in cinema but it still has that perceived importance. Nolan's reputation probably has taken multiple hits over this fiasco.

Nolan might have bad feelings toward WB. And I wouldn't be terribly surprised if a few people are miffed at him right now as well. In Hollywood, as you can probably guess, lots and lots of money has a funny way of papering over conflicts and disagreements. But there's not much money coming from Tenet.

It's kind of ludicrous to think that Nolan would up stakes and move his business somewhere else. But if he did, I think he might find other studios vying to be his patron. But, then again, he might not. Because he'd be facing the same essential problem with them as WB. No studio in the world can guarantee him a theatrical release right now. But at least at WB, he has a track record he can invoke any time.

For WB's part, AT&T is breathing down their collective neck. I imagine the pressure is on to deliver as much successful content as possible. The fact remains that Nolan is still one of the most bankable names in the business. Heads rolled over Tenet. But yet more heads might roll if Nolan is allowed to leave.

This is a difficult situation for all parties concerned. Utterly unprecedented.

[Silver Nemesis]

As expected, Nolan's not happy:

"Some of our industry's biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service," filmmaker Christopher Nolan, whose relationship with Warners dates back to Batman Begins in 2005, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Nolan added: "Warner Bros. had an incredible machine for getting a filmmaker's work out everywhere, both in theaters and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak. They don't even understand what they're losing. Their decision makes no economic sense and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan

Variety reports that Dune director Denis Villeneuve is also very cross. Meanwhile The New York Times is reporting that agencies representing stars like Denzel Washington, Margot Robbie, Keanu Reeves, Angelina Jolie, Will Smith and Hugh Jackman have also expressed outrage, and that the Directors Guild of America is considering a boycott of WB.

[The Laughing Fish]

I've wondered the same thing. I've also wondered if this deal was originally intended to include Tenet and Nolan put his foot down.

It's an interesting question. WB, the filmmaker's studio, has been a good home for Nolan for a long time. His movies tend to be quite successful. But he's drawn lines in the sand. Shooting on film rather than digital HD, for example. And, as above, with a theatrical release for Tenet.

But Tenet probably lost money (or at best broke even) at the box office. There are valid reasons for why that happened... but it still happened at Nolan's insistence. WB took a bath that any nitwit could've foreseen. By itself, that might not be a huge problem. But rest assured, heads rolled at WB over Nolan standing his ground on that movie. And even all those things taken together might not be a showstopper.

But Tenet holds a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You and I can bemoan the perceived importance of RT in cinema but it still has that perceived importance. Nolan's reputation probably has taken multiple hits over this fiasco.

Nolan might have bad feelings toward WB. And I wouldn't be terribly surprised if a few people are miffed at him right now as well. In Hollywood, as you can probably guess, lots and lots of money has a funny way of papering over conflicts and disagreements. But there's not much money coming from Tenet.

It's kind of ludicrous to think that Nolan would up stakes and move his business somewhere else. But if he did, I think he might find other studios vying to be his patron. But, then again, he might not. Because he'd be facing the same essential problem with them as WB. No studio in the world can guarantee him a theatrical release right now. But at least at WB, he has a track record he can invoke any time.

For WB's part, AT&T is breathing down their collective neck. I imagine the pressure is on to deliver as much successful content as possible. The fact remains that Nolan is still one of the most bankable names in the business. Heads rolled over Tenet. But yet more heads might roll if Nolan is allowed to leave.

This is a difficult situation for all parties concerned. Utterly unprecedented.

Judging from this report below, HBO Max is beginning to see significant improvement in terms of growth.

https://blog.apptopia.com/hbo-max-is-now-the-fastest-growing-major-svod-service-in-the-us

As for Hollywood's reaction to WB's 2021 slate getting split between streaming and theaters? Look, the only thing I can empathise with the production studios is they weren't informed in advance - if at all - about what WB was going to do. Legendary Pictures weren't even notified nor consulted about the decision to release Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max and in cinemas, and only found out about the news half an hour earlier before it was announced. That is pretty unprofessional, but quite typical of Warner, judging by their unprofessional conduct within the last several years. It seems even with new management, WB still has a long go to repair its image.

But aside from that, Hollywood needs to get real. There's no end in sight to this pandemic, and as I said before, it could continue well into 2022 judging by the way things are going. And judging by the box office results this year, the majority of people don't seem to be willing to go to the theater because of the anxiety over the virus, so it makes sense to give the audience a safer alternative to watch the latest releases in the comfort of their home. For Nolan to say this doesn't make economic sense is completely tone-deaf, and makes him look out of touch with current events.

WB were wrong to not alert all parties affected by this decision. But I do believe the decision itself is the right call under the dire circumstances.

[thecolorsblend]

As expected, Nolan's not happy:

"Some of our industry's biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service," filmmaker Christopher Nolan, whose relationship with Warners dates back to Batman Begins in 2005, said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Nolan added: "Warner Bros. had an incredible machine for getting a filmmaker's work out everywhere, both in theaters and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak. They don't even understand what they're losing. Their decision makes no economic sense and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction."

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/christopher-nolan-rips-hbo-max-as-worst-streaming-service-denounces-warner-bros-plan

Variety reports that Dune director Denis Villeneuve is also very cross. Meanwhile The New York Times is reporting that agencies representing stars like Denzel Washington, Margot Robbie, Keanu Reeves, Angelina Jolie, Will Smith and Hugh Jackman have also expressed outrage, and that the Directors Guild of America is considering a boycott of WB.

If nothing else good comes out of all this, it's clear now that WB is no longer the captain of its own destiny. There has been a vocal contingent out there who seem to think WB is still part of the Hollywood cult and I hope it's clear now who's calling the shots. It's AT&T, fam.

For me, I see all this as a positive. I'm intensely introverted and can count on one hand how many truly enjoyable theatrical experiences I've ever had. Sending this stuff straight to streaming plays like gangbusters for me. I can make my own hot butter with a side of popcorn, pause whenever I need for bathroom breaks, etc. This decision stands only to benefit me.

However, I am not so vain as to think this doesn't impact anyone else. I expect that what we're seeing in that THR article only scratches the surface of all the seething resentment out there.

Judging from this report below, HBO Max is beginning to see significant improvement in terms of growth.

https://blog.apptopia.com/hbo-max-is-now-the-fastest-growing-major-svod-service-in-the-us

As for Hollywood's reaction to WB's 2021 slate getting split between streaming and theaters? Look, the only thing I can empathise with the production studios is they weren't informed in advance - if at all - about what WB was going to do. Legendary Pictures weren't even notified nor consulted about the decision to release Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max and in cinemas, and only found out about the news half an hour earlier before it was announced. That is pretty unprofessional, but quite typical of Warner, judging by their unprofessional conduct within the last several years. It seems even with new management, WB still has a long go to repair its image.

But aside from that, Hollywood needs to get real. There's no end in sight to this pandemic, and as I said before, it could continue well into 2022 judging by the way things are going. And judging by the box office results this year, the majority of people don't seem to be willing to go to the theater because of the anxiety over the virus, so it makes sense to give the audience a safer alternative to watch the latest releases in the comfort of their home. For Nolan to say this doesn't make economic sense is completely tone-deaf, and makes him look out of touch with current events.

WB were wrong to not alert all parties affected by this decision. But I do believe the decision itself is the right call under the dire circumstances.

True, yes. But there are other economic realities closer to home.

Namely, right now is a terrible time to be in the theatrical exhibition business. A year ago, nobody questioned the supremacy of AMC and Cinemark theaters. Today, their futures are very much in doubt. Riddle me this, what's the point of "saving" theatrical exhibition if the two biggest exhibitors are bankrupt? I can't speak intelligently about Cinemark's financial outlook but word 'round the campfire is AMC is entering a world of pain very soon. A year of forced closures combined, minimal new content and limits on attendance has taken its toll. It's ridiculous to think they can withstand much more of this.

So I think it's worth asking how Cinemark can possibly be in a radically better position.

To be fair, a phased transition would've probably been better. Q1 2021: A four week exclusive run in theaters followed immediately by streaming. Q2 2021: A three week exclusive run in theaters followed immediately by streaming. Q3 2021: A two week exclusive run in theaters followed immediately by streaming. Q4 2021: A one week exclusive run in theaters followed immediately by streaming. Then in 2022, maybe we start working out how to phase theatrical exhibition out entirely.

I'm pulling the above strategy out of my... hat. It could be anything. But the idea is a gradual transition away from the decades old three months in theaters and then other channels model. Even that's controversial but it probably would've torqued fewer people off all at once.

Nolan probably knows the entire industry better than I ever will. If he says this move makes no economic sense, I think it would be logical to accept his word over mine. Still, the questions above remain. The coof year has wreaked financial havoc on everybody, everyone always knew it would down come to streaming in the end and now it looks like the transition has to start earlier than anyone ever anticipated.

If you ask me, it's time for Hollywood's financial and creative partners to put on their big girl panties and get with the program.

[The Dark Knight]

I like the theater experience, so I already know what I'm going with.

No doubt whatsoever.

I understand Nolan's frustration. Movies should be exclusively big screen entertainment.
I see through the plandemic and the dumb sheep public. That's the real fiasco.
But nonetheless, crippling lockdowns (thinking a virus can be eradicated) and film delays persist.

If films are going to be delayed indefinitely, just release the damned things on HBO Max. It's not what I'd prefer, but this is the situation we're in. If people are just too scared to enter a cinema for fear of a 99% survival rate flu, they can watch from their nursing home, and also preferably lose weight and stop smoking. But the film option is also there for people who want it. It will be curious to see how this all plays out long term.

[thecolorsblend]

Movies should be exclusively big screen entertainment.

I'm afraid we will have to disagree on this, old friend. But I hope you bear my restrictions in mind on this. I recognize that others can do things I don't enjoy. Specifically, sitting in a theater for hours on end.

With the acknowledgement that many of the people who aren't dying are going bankrupt, I must say that I have benefited greatly from the lockdown, the social distancing, etc. Right now, we live in an introvert's paradise.

I see through the plandemic and the dumb sheep public. That's the real fiasco.
But nonetheless, crippling lockdowns (thinking a virus can be eradicated) and film delays persist.

At the risk of dragging this thread into dangerously off-topic territory, I would like to say the utter lack of reliable information regarding the coof would normally be the thing that journalistic scandals are made of. But since we don't have legit news media in this country, this will go down as the most unreported scandal in history.

Introvert's paradise or not, we live in miserable times. As you know.

It will be curious to see how this all plays out long term.

Are we speculating here? Very well.

I think there will be one studio who tries their luck at continuing with the old model. Disney seems obvious but, in the main, they're led by some fairly intelligent types. Cooler heads will eventually prevail at Disney, I imagine.

No, my money is on Sony. They lack any obvious exit strategy (i.e., the safety net of a streaming service) and their film division is operated by Hollywood cult True Believers. Bankruptcy might break them of their theatrical habit but I don't think much else will. They have a couple of franchises they probably believe they can use as gravy trains and my sense of their executives is that a plurality of them will see the overall lack of competition at the box office as an opportunity (or, God have mercy, a dare!) instead of a warning sign.

Based on their recent history of borderline incompetent management, my hunch is that Sony will make a very ill-advised play in 2021 to keep the theatrical distribution model alive. And I suspect they will pay dearly for it. Maybe I'm wrong. But if I had to guess, my bet is they're the ones who will tempt fate... and suffer the consequences.