Oh well, at least The Prom is coming out this December and ironically, In The Heights and West Side Story are now being released next year as competitors once again.
Do these films HAVE to be released in theatres? What’s the point. We are in a new normal where streaming platforms should be used and embraced for premiering these kinds of projects. Disney literally has two different streaming platforms at their disposal and won’t use either. I don’t even think by 2021 will people want to sit in a movie theatre again.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
I’m sure all of these directors have big screens in their own homes. Let them watch it on Hulu on that big portable projector baby!
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
While I was very interested in seeing this at holiday time, I was invitable. I can say that I still love a movie theatre. The streaming I don't know how much I love it for movies that weren't made fo rthem. Hte question becomes, does this decision change?
Hollywood isn't cranking out the movies, like pre pandemic, so they may need to change some dates if some miracle happens, and the outside world isn't a big scary place anymore.
"Ok ok ok ok ok ok ok. Have you guys heard about fidget spinners!?" ~Patti LuPone
LesWickedly said: "Money, Jorge. It is always about money."
And they really trust they’ll ever be able make money again from theatrical releases after this? Mmhmm... okay Jan.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
The problem is the budget for these films. West Side Story has a reported budget of $100 million. And I dont even think that includes marketing. It is near impossible to make your investment back for a budget like that with just streaming platforms. They could go the Mulan route and charge a premium, but you still are only getting one purchase per group or family instead of all those individual tickets. And many movies also rely on 3D and/or Imax screenings in their finances, which obviously cant happen with streaming.
The Prom has a much more modest budget. I do think we will see less and less of these big budget tentpole films after this pandemic. Studios are going to tighten the pursestrings and try to do most of their movies as cheaply as possible
Steven is a true filmmaker. Like many of them, they want their work on a big screen, the way it was intended. Of course movies will be back, theaters will be back, probably next Fall they will pick up again.
Anyone who thought a Spielberg-led film would come out this year, or on a streaming platform, was completely naive. At this rate a December 2021 date is even precarious.
One interesting possibility that now arises: could they potentially recast Tony and reshoot some of the scenes in this extra time? It's been a while since it happened, but there was a credible accusation of sexual assault and rape against Ansel Elgort, and this extra year might give them the chance to find another actor, maybe someone in the theatre community. (I read somewhere that Antonio Cipriano auditioned for Tony, and I'd love to see him and Rachel Zegler on the big screen.)
"I think that when a movie says it was 'based on a true story,' oh, it happened - just with uglier people." - Peanut Walker, Shucked
One factor out of most anyone’s control will be how many theaters are left when the dust settles... They’re sitting on tons of sometimes $$$ real estate, leased and/or aging equipment, etc. “Tenet” wasn’t the savior they expected it to be, and things are looking unlikely for ANY big releases over the next six months. (Marvel also just announced “Black Widow” being bumped to next year too; not a surprise.)
Theaters also never had a chance to recoup all of their fairly recent renovations — converting to assigned seating, new cushy/powered seats, upgrading screen/theaters/systems to Dolby Cinema standards, dine-in build-outs, etc. And many hadn’t ever even really recovered from the the last decade’s roll-out to digital’s costs. Most chains (especially AMC, the largest) have been in major debt with overseas investors keeping them afloat; that isn’t sustainable with no/little income for the foreseeable future. My guess is that by the end of ‘19, a good percentage of theaters will sadly be DOA and most people will see WSS, ITH, etc. at home anyway.