When WarnerMedia announced plans to release Warner Bros.' entire 2021 slate on HBO Max (and theaters), it took us by surprise... along with everyone who worked on those movies. In some cases, filmmakers only received a 30-minute heads up, while others learned of the news online.
Legendary Pictures is particularly unhappy with the decision, especially when they financed 75% of movies like Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, both of which are now slated for HBO Max debuts next year.
Now, Deadline has shared some insight into what's going on behind the scenes, explaining that the one way to avoid lawsuits is "to preserve Dune as a traditional theatrical to preserve its franchise potential and since its October 1 release date falls well after the estimated late spring date when COVID vaccines should achieve herd immunity."
The trade adds, "Godzilla vs. Kong might stay an HBO Max hybrid in its May 21 slot, but only if Warner Bros makes a deal with Legendary that uses as a base the $250 million value established when the film was shopped earlier to Netflix."
It's clearly not an easy situation to navigate, but it doesn't look like Warner Bros. is backing down. If these streaming debuts are beneficial for HBO Max - and you have to believe they'll be keeping an eye on Wonder Woman 1984's performance this Friday - then this could become the norm.
We'll just have to wait and see.
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