‘Tenet’ July Release Is To Please Christopher Nolan – Warner Bros. Would Prefer To Delay
Warner Bros. has been playing a game of chicken with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the theatrical release ofTenet, which until last week was sticking by its mid-July release date. But when the studio announced the expected delay of the highly anticipatedChristopher Nolanfilm, the new release date — set for just two weeks later — was met with a few raised eyebrows. Many wondered why the studio was so insistent on keepingTenetin July, despite the likelihood that there would be few changes to the state of the pandemic in just two weeks. According to a new report, Warner Bros. would actually prefer to delayTeneteven further, but are keeping the July release date to appease Nolan.
With the coronavirus pandemic showing no signs of slowing, despite the gradual re-openings of states and businesses, many expected Warner Bros. to push back its earliest blockbuster release:Tenet, set for mid-July. But when the news came last week thatTenetwasdelayed by just two weeks to July 31, many wondered why Warner Bros. didn’t push the film back further. According to a new report fromThe New York Times, Warner Bros. would actually prefer to delay the release ofTeneteven further in order to gain the biggest box office numbers possible, but conceded to director Christopher Nolan’s wish thatTenetbe the film that helps save the post-pandemic theatrical experience.
Here is what the report says:
In recent weeks, Warner, concerned about its “Tenet” investment, was leaning in favor of postponement, while Mr. Nolan, a fervent advocate for preserving the moviegoing experience, was more eager to press ahead. The discussions amounted to a fraught moment for Warner: Mr. Nolan is a proven moneymaker, and the studio wants to keep him happy.
Nolan haslong been an advocatefor the theatrical experience, and seems to be bringing that passion for theaters to movie exhibitors across the nation, which have been taking major financial hits since theaters were forced to shutter amid the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March.Tenetis being viewed by theater exhibitors and the movie industry at large as the blockbuster champion that couldreenergize flagging theater businesses. While Nolan is one of the few directors who can draw audiences to the theater by name alone, it’s still a gamble for Warner Bros., especially as thenumber of cases risein the wake of state re-openings following months of lockdown and moviegoers express uncertainty about returning to theaters so soon.
