Warner Bros. will release all of its 2021 movies, including Dune and The Matrix 4, online on the same day as the theaters.
The move to put such mega-blockbusters directly on the HBO Max streaming service is another blow to the ailing film industry, which has largely shut down as a result. Corona Virus pandemic.
Warner Bros. He said the one-year plan was a response to the “unprecedented times” of the outbreak, but there is no doubt that the preparers remain concerned about what that could mean for their future.
They’ve been affected by a series of high-profile movie delays in 2020, including the latest installments in popular franchises like Marvel and James Bond.
Warner Bros. previously announced that it will be Wonder Woman 1984 release On HBO Max the same day it shows in US theaters – Christmas Day.
The second part of the comic book is still scheduled to release in UK cinemas on December 16, although it is currently only allowed to open in Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas And the largest series of pieces – Cineworld – Locked everywhere.
HBO Max is not yet available in the UK, but it does highlight the importance of live broadcasting in Hollywood, and follows the launch of platforms like Disney + and Comcast’s Peacock.
DisneyLive-action remake of Mulan Disney + movie theaters were skipped earlier this year, and upcoming Pixar Soul will do the same – as it will hit service on Christmas Day.
Warner Bros says it expects cinemas to reopen in 2021, albeit with reduced capacity.
Films likely to be affected by the studio’s move include Space Jam, Godzilla vs Kong, Mortal Kombat, and Lin-Manuel Miranda Musical In The Heights.
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Ann Sarnoff, President and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, said: Covid-19 Pandemic means they need to find “innovative solutions.”
She said, “Nobody wants movies again on the big screen more than us.
“We know that new content is the lifeblood of theatrical productions, but we have to balance this with the fact that most theaters in the United States will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021.
“Through this unique one-year plan, we can support our exhibition partners with a steady set of world-class films, while giving moviegoers who may not be able to reach the cinemas or are not fully ready to return to the cinema, the opportunity to watch. Our great movies for 2021.
“We view it as a win-win for all movie lovers and modelers, and we are extremely grateful to our film industry partners for working with us on such an innovative response to these conditions.”
The films will leave HBO Max a month after their release on the platform, but will continue to air in theaters.
Among the collection of 2021 films are several films originally scheduled for 2020, including Dune.
It is also not known if the studio’s plan will extend outside the US, as HBO Max is not yet available anywhere else.
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