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- Editorial board
- BBC World News
Image source, Warner Bros
Timothee Chalamet and Rebecca Ferguson appear in “Dune”.
In a decision that caused an earthquake in the Hollywood industry, Warner Bros. announced on Thursday that the 17 films due out in 2021 in the United States will be able to be seen simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform.
The studio has taken this step due to the difficulties the coronavirus pandemic is causing it when it comes to showing its new productions in conventional cinemas.
A few weeks ago, Warner Bros. had already announced that it would release “Wonder Woman 1984” in December. at the same time on HBO Max and in theaters.
Now it has decided to do the same with all the previews planned for 2021, which include films like “Dune”, “Matrix 4”, “Godzilla vs. Kong”, “The suicide squad” and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s adaptation of the musical “In the Heights”.
“In this unprecedented time we have found ourselves looking for a creative solution to serve our fans, our directors and our exhibitors,” said Ann Sarnoff, CEO of WarnerMedia Studios.
Sarnoff assured that it was a “one year” plan designed for those viewers who are not comfortable returning to the cinema due to the pandemic.
HBO Max – owned by AT&T Inc., like Warner Bros. – is only available in the US and the studio’s 17 films slated for 2021 are expected to hit international theaters.
The studio confirmed that in the United States the films will be available from the day of their release for one month to HBO Max subscribers at no additional cost. Then they can only be seen in the rooms and then they will return to the digital platform again.
Image source, Getty Images
Variety magazine notes that this Warner decision shows how the pandemic “drastically changed the dynamics of power between studios and showrooms.”
Increased tension
Analysts believe the Warner Bros. decision will increase tension between Hollywood studios and exhibition networks, which due to the coronavirus have been forced to close most of their theaters in the United States, as many have been postponed.
The announcement was made this Thursday the share price of major US cinema chains will drop.
Variety magazine notes that this decision by Warner shows how the pandemic “It has radically changed the dynamics of power between studios and showrooms“, and although covid-19 vaccines arrive “that balance of power may never favor theaters again.”
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter assures that the measure will “definitely take US movie chains by surprise” and that, although Warner assures it is a temporary move, it could have long-term implications. .
Until now, the studios have promised to wait between 70 and 90 days to release their films on streaming platforms.
Image source, Getty Images
The new Matrix movie will be released in 2021.
Sacrifice
Adam Aron, president of AMC Entertainment, the world’s largest cinema chain, said Warner seems “willing to sacrifice a significant portion of the profitability of its film studios and that of its production partners and directors to subsidize the launch of HBO. Max “.
This streaming platform started its US journey last May.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that Warner doesn’t do it at our expense,” Aron said in a statement.
Warner Bros is not the only studio that, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is changing the rules of distribution of its films.
A few months ago Universal reached an agreement with the AMC cinema chain to be able to stream its films just 17 days after their arrival in traditional theaters.
Additionally, Disney launched Mulan on its Disney + streaming platform this year, but without including it as part of the subscription. To see the film, the cost in the US is about $ 30.
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