With all of 2020’s major blockbuster films having flown to 2021, all attention has been focused on WarnerMedia and Wonder Woman 1984, which is scheduled for Christmas Day. While director Patty Jenkins has repeatedly insisted on a theater release even during this pandemic time, the studio has a lot to consider about the best way to present the superhero sequel. According to Bloomberg, there’s a chance it could actually go to HBO Max, possibly on the same day of its theatrical release, or shortly thereafter.
So there are a couple of takes on this, both suggesting that a decision is to be made very soon by Warner Bros. Bloomberg says Wonder Woman 1984, the sequel to Patty Jenkins’ $821M-grossing DC Comics hit, could arrive on HBO Max a week or two after it opens theatrically on Christmas Day. This would give Jenkins what she has been asking for since the beginning, but goes against recent claims against a shortened theatrical release window.
Deadline then chimes in with their own info, and they say word is going around that WarnerMedia might drop Wonder Woman 1984 simultaneously in theaters and HBO Max on Christmas Day. While this would obviously be another left hook to theater owners who are really struggling right now, they also see what’s going on out there. The pandemic is spiking in a very scary way, and many cities, including some that never fully reopened to begin with, are considering tighter restrictions. Whichever way this goes, they might be happy to get whatever they can get from the last big movie of 2020.
The other thing leaning in favor of a day-and-date release is the subscriber benefit for HBO Max. The fledgling streamer could do with a big-draw movie like Wonder Woman 1984 to drive up its subscriber base.
Of course, there is also the chance WarnerMedia just holds off on the film until next year when a vaccine could possibly be ready. Showing some patience could work out better for them overall if audiences feel safe enough to venture out and buy a ticket. If there’s a hope of Wonder Woman 1984 topping $1 billion, which is the clear goal, pulling it from the schedule for now could be the way to go.
