There seems to be times of a slight glimmer of hope regarding a movie release. However, Covid jumps back in the way. Christopher Nolan’s Tenet was to be the first major film to make its way to theaters. We all know how that went. However, New York’s Governor, Andrew Cuomo, recently said that theaters outside of NYC can start reopening at 25% compacity. WW84 is one of the few films still on the 2020 ticket, but will it stay that way? DC is looking to make a decision sometime soon.
Movie studios have been waiting for theaters to open in states such as New York and California where they receive a large chunk of their business. Theaters such as AMC and Regal have been hit hard with the absence of film releases in general, let alone blockbusters. They have been pleading to reopen as they argue that it not only impacts them, but the film industry as well.
Numerous movie studios are still leery that releasing films in theaters would make them take more of a hit. Larger cities, especially in NYC, still cannot open due to their higher Covid rates. Couple that with many movie-goers and families extremely cautious about going back to theaters, while unsure about sanitation guidelines, it could be quite the risk.
Variety revels that media and entertainment analyst Eric Wold appears optimistic expressing:
“Although movie theaters within the key five New York City boroughs will still remain closed for the time being, we view this as a positive step toward reopening those theaters in the coming weeks.”
At this time, theaters are hoping that the WB keeps WW84 on its new Christmas release date. The hesitancy from studios is justifiable when you look at how Tenet performed. A film that cost $200+ to make, yet only brings in around $50 domestically is quite the risk, and the hit, to take. The film has seen success globally, but the domestic drop could have series repercussions moving forward.
Variety reports:
“Experts say it’s impossible to estimate how much the “Wonder Woman” sequel could make in the current market. But even it made 50% less than the first — which generated a massive $400 million at the domestic box office and another $400 million overseas — with restrictions in place, the comic book adventure would struggle to turn a profit. The sequel was greenlit with the expectation that it would earn more — not considerably less — than its predecessor.”
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Theaters in New York are only opening at 25% compacity. Even though there is not much competition, that number may not be high enough for a 2020 release. Many studios seem fine with moving their films to 2021 while hopes of a projected Covid vaccine looms. DC is said to be making a business decision on WW84 very soon.
What are your thoughts? Should the WB release WW84 on Christmas? I absolutely want to see it, but is it worth the risk? Would you head to the theaters to see it? Leave your thoughts in the usual spot, and thanks for reading!
Source: Variety