Over the last day or so, Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins has been getting kicked around over social media for her comments at CinemaCon. No, not the ones where she criticized the day-and-date model Warner Media used for Wonder Woman 1984. But further comments that bashed streaming as a whole, calling films on their service “fake movies.”
It was the LA Times that captured more of her CinemaCon statements, and I would preface this by saying that she basically talking to a bunch of theater exhibitors and defenders of the theatrical experience. That said, her feelings in regards to streaming are well-known already…
“And by the way, aren’t you seeing it? All of the films that streaming services are putting out, I’m sorry, they look like fake movies to me. I don’t hear about them; I don’t read about them. It’s not working as a model for establishing legendary greatness.”
She continued, “Streaming is great for massive amounts of content and bingeing TV shows. I think they are two very different skill sets, and I see them succeeding as two very different things. That’s why I think it’s a mistake for the film industry to throw something away so valuable.”
The irony to all of this is that her own film Wonder Woman 1984 was released via streaming. I know she’s referring to movies made specifically for Netflix, Amazon, etc., but you can understand why some are striking back against her.
Furthermore, the place she calls home, Warner Media, has set forth on a number of HBO Max exclusive films within the DCEU that she works in, such as Batgirl, Blue Beetle, Zatanna, and more. I’m sure they aren’t happy at Jenkins tearing these films down before they even have a chance.
Also, Jenkins is speaking from a position of privilege. She’s got Rogue Squadron and a likely Wonder Woman 3 coming up, films that are guaranteed to be theatrical. Other filmmakers have to get distribution any way they can get it, and streaming has provided a welcome home to many that we might not have ever seen.
