Perhaps only Wonder Woman’s golden lasso of truth wrapped around Warner Bros execs can get us the real truth here, but according to The Wrap, the studio is possibly having discussions as to whether or not the sequel to 2018’s Wonder Woman should premiere immediately on Digital/streaming platforms and skip a theatrical release altogether.
With theater doors remaining closed for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not surprising as HBO Max is still scheduled to launch in May.
The Wrap says the discussions are still in the “preliminary” stages, and neither director Patty Jenkins nor executive producer Charles Roven have been involved. Instead, Warner Pictures Group Chairman Toby Emmerich is debating what to do with some of his top advisors at the studio.
Roven and Jenkins are said to be leaning toward an August release for Wonder Woman 1984, but there’s a lot of uncertainty. The second half of the year is getting crowded with postponed tentpole films including Marvel’s Black Widow, Paramount’s A Quiet Place II, Universal’s F9 and MGM’s James Bond: No Time to Kill.
Does a non-theatrical release make sense for a film whose budget is $200 million? To match profits from a $1 billion box office haul, Wonder Woman 1984 would need to receive 16 – 21 million downloads at a charge of $30-$40 per film rental. That’s almost 3 months of Netflix and Disney+. Together.
Warner President of Domestic Distribution Jeff Goldstein denies streaming discussions, stating: “We’re looking to release the movie theatrically, that’s our plan.” However, Roven has acknowledged that, “There may come a time we have to make that decision.”
For now, here’s the final WW trailer:
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Full details about Wonder Woman 1984’s story are still under wraps. There are rumors about the character being involved with a conflict with the Soviet Union.
Directed by Patty Jenkins from a script she co-wrote with David Callaham and a treatment she developed with Geoff Johns, Wonder Woman 1984 stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wigg, Pedro Pascal, Natasha Rothwell, Ravi Patel, Gabriella Wilde, Connie Nielson, and Robin Wright.
The film is still scheduled to lasso movie audiences on June 4, 2020.
Source: Warner Bros.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
