Warner Bros. is reaching international exhibitors about a possible launch in late August for Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet”. If carried out, it would mean that the twisted spy thriller, which was expected to be one of the highest-grossing summer releases, will have some kind of popcorn season debut.
The study told exhibitors in the UK, France and Spain to plan a launch from August 26 to 28. The dates are not confirmed, although sources indicate that the conversations are positive. It is understood that the studio also aims to release the film in early Asia, and exhibitors from the region expect to receive a new date in the coming days. However, it is worth noting that, given the changing nature of the global health crisis, these plans could change if the situation worsens and more critical points emerge.
An exhibitor contacted by the study, who asked to remain anonymous, said Variety that the tipping point in favor of an international release before an American bow comes down to the reopening of Chinese theaters last week. Asian BO’s strong performance for the “Train to Busan” sequel “Peninsula”, which made a sensational debut with $ 20.8 million in four markets, is believed to have boosted studio bosses.
Warner Bros.’ Plans for an early release in Europe, and particularly in Spain, which could see a second wave of COVID-19, could follow Sony Pictures Releasing’s reasoning to advance the local release of Santiago Segura’s family comedy “Father There is Only One 2 “”, The country’s biggest potential box office success for 2020, from August 7 to July 29.
The deal is that a previous release allows the sequel to perform more clearly at the box office in case more theaters in Spain are closed.
Warner Bros. officially removed “Tenet” from its release schedule on Monday, but promised to share a new 2020 release date “imminently.” The delay, which marked the third postponement of the photo, was a severe blow to international exhibitors, who have been basing their recovery business models around the launch of American stores.
Originally, “Tenet” was to debut on July 17, but was delayed to July 31 and then to August 12. Its most recent delay followed renewed spikes in COVID-19 cases in major U.S. markets such as Florida and Texas. Disney on Thursday followed the undated “Mulan” suite from its recent hanger on August 21, marking the film’s fourth delay.
When he delayed the release of “Tenet” on Monday, Warner Bros. hinted that it could alter the traditional playbook to allow for a domestic release to occur around the same time as a foreign release. “We are not treating ‘Tenet’ as a traditional worldwide date and date launch, and our upcoming marketing and distribution plans will reflect that,” Warner Bros. President Toby Emmerich said in a statement.
However, there is concern that for a movie like “Tenet,” which is based on keeping its secrets close to the chest, a foreign debut could result in piracy, potentially ruining some of the movie’s surprises.
The studio’s musical chair set for “Tenet” has been frustrating for international exhibitors who, while sympathetic to the dire situation in some US states, desperately need new products to maintain their locations.
“If the exhibition community does not have new films in the coming months, there will be no exhibition community. For most, if not all of the big studio movies, between 70% and 80% of the entire box office is abroad, and that seems to have been forgotten, “said a source from senior exhibitors. Variety earlier this week, just before the third “Tenet” delay.
Jocelyn Bouyssy, managing director of CGR Cinemas, France’s second-largest multiplex chain, said at the time that it would be a “catastrophe” if both “Tenet” and “Mulan” were delayed further, two scenarios that happened in the span of four days.
“We have been sticking to that [all odds] because we do not want people to forget us, but we do not know how long we can endure like this, “he said.
Warner Bros. declined to comment for this story.
Elsa Keslassy and John Hopewell contributed to this report.
