About dozens of movies are pushed back from its original release dates due to coronavirus pandemic.
The pandemic, which hits hard on movie industries, is estimated to lower global box office numbers by US$10 billion as per April 2020 prediction, causing loss not only for movie studios and overall cinema landscape, but also others like: film festivals, awards and comic / film conventions. Significant reshuffling is made by big studios as a response. Big summer tentpole movies like Disney’s Mulan, Pixar’s Soul, Top Gun: Maverick and Wonder Woman 1984 are moved to several months forward but still aimed for 2020 release, while others like Minions: The Rise of Gru, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Jungle Cruise and Sony’s Morbius are all pushed back to next year.
In the wake of this phenomenon, well, if you have read recent news, you know that Chris Nolan’s upcoming film, Tenet, is one of few movies (as far as I know, is “the only”) that currently stays on its release date. It is still aimed for a solid July 17th release by Nolan’s request, which certainly intends to make the film to be a blockbuster hit just like most of his previous films were. Well, this is make sense because Tenet costs around 220 to 225 million budget based on a wholly original story. A risky move from Warner Bros some might say about this. But, as you all know it’s Nolan. He has a highly sophisticated record in terms of artistic achievements and box office numbers, and the way he connects with Warner Bros is parallel as WB and Stanley Kubrick’s relationship in the past. They’re all in for Nolan’s vision and they backed him up 100%. A rare privilege for a movie director.
(Source: Warner Bros. Pictures)
I think keeping Tenet on its original release date is not necessarily a bad idea, especially when movie theaters are predicted to reopen after the restriction of going out / lockdown regulation will be eased in July. Should Nolan be right, then post-coronavirus pandemic somehow could boost people's interest in his movies after weeks staying at home and watching Netflix on their phones. It would be a great redemption for people that eager to come out and watch a movie, and Nolan could take opportunity out of this situation to its full effect.
Since most of big summer movies are scheduled to new release dates, Tenet arguably is the only new film being shown and the best option we have alongside Mulan (moved to July 24th) and Wonder Woman 1984 (moved to August 14th). Although movie theaters probably would limit the numbers of audience in a studio, but it also means that Tenet could stay on the theaters much longer than usual. And if the receptions were good, then word of mouth from people who have seen it would attract other people who haven’t, further making them want to watch it more.
It is surely a big bet for Nolan and Warner Bros. The result, in terms of box office success, could pay off to the highest ceiling possible, or the lowest ground ever for a Chris Nolan’s movie (not counting for the marketing cost, etc if the movie failed to breakeven). Again, it all depends on the situation.
Who knows by the time you watch this video, has Tenet been moved as well?
It’s a puzzle box. Just like most Nolan’s films.
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