Christopher Nolan is happy that his 2020 blockbuster Tenet didn’t go straight to HBO Max. Tenet hit theaters in September after a long period of delays. The film was heralded as the savior of the 2020 box office, a scenario that did not necessarily play out. The film floundered at the U.S. box office, but fared well internationally. Still, the film sits at just over $350 million, well below the $500 million it needed to break even.
In response to Tenet‘s box office, Warner Bros. decided to delay the rest of their 2020 films. They also made the decision to put their entire 2021 slate on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day. Christopher Nolan has blasted the move, underscoring his belief in the theatrical experience. The move has left the rest of the industry rattled, too, revealing the disconnect between creators and moviegoers. Backlash against Nolan has been rolling after his comments, but he has yet to comment on that.
According to the AP, Nolan has expressed that he is “very glad” his film didn’t go straight to HBO Max. He says he’s lucky that Tenet “isn’t caught up in the mess they’ve made.” His feelings only further illustrate the disillusionment he and other creators feel with Warner Bros. after their major decision was announced. Nolan also highlighted the fact that Tenet will be available on VOD soon.
We will be accessible through Roku and Amazon Prime and iTunes and be everywhere all at once for people to enjoy.
Tenet‘s release was always going to be a gamble – even with a lull in coronavirus cases at the end of the summer, many still felt unsafe going to theaters. As cases surge again, going to the movies just isn’t an option. It’s a tough spot to be in – the artists want their films seen the way they were intended, but in an environment where that’s nearly impossible, at what point do fan’s needs and safety supersede the studio’s bottom line? It’s a conversation that will continue to be had, especially considering we have a whole year ahead of us with major blockbusters hitting streaming day-and-date.
Warner Bros.’ decision may have angered most of the industry, but it seems as if fans, for the most part, are happy with the decision. Very few people want to see the theatrical experience die and, while Warner Bros.’ decision will surely alter the landscape, it’s impossible to tell what kind of long term effects it will have. Tenet‘s situation was an unprecedented one and one that will inform decisions going forward. Nolan and co. need to have more faith in the fans that have helped them reach stratospheric heights. By the time Warner Bros.’ other 2021 films hit theaters in the latter half of the year, some people will surely try to catch those in theaters, especially with a vaccine rolling out in the coming months.
