The capacity for shock hasn’t been exhausted.
Even in a year when the unexpected has become normal, Warner Bros.
made a radical move: Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984” will stick to its domestic theatrical release date of December 25, but it comes with a kicker — a kick directly in the teeth of exhibitors.Desperate theater owners were already resigned to the idea that a Christmas date was unlikely, or braced themselves for home availability within a month on either Warners’ HBO Max or Premium VOD.
But day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max?! It’s unprecedented, and tells everyone that at least two of the three dominant studios do not prioritize the theatrical release.Of course, this decision directly related to our current and extraordinary circumstances.
It’s still devastating for theaters, and looks like we are on the path to making home availability, not theaters, the driving force.
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