Legendary's Battle With Warner Bros. Could See DUNE Receive A Traditional Theatrical Release

Legendary's Battle With Warner Bros. Could See DUNE Receive A Traditional Theatrical Release

Legendary Pictures isn't happy with Warner Bros.' decision to release movies like Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max, and we now have new details on plans for both titles as we head into next year...

By JoshWilding - Dec 23, 2020 12:12 AM EST
Filed Under: Dune
Source: Deadline

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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dracula
dracula - 12/23/2020, 12:53 AM
Well either way, there is a strong chance it won't make much money. Hopefully the studio takes the pandemic into account and that won't stop them from making the second film.
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/23/2020, 12:54 AM
No chance in hell I’m watching this on HBO MAX. Movie theater or bust.

The Suicide Squad might be the only other movie from the slate that I check out in theater.
tmp3
tmp3 - 12/23/2020, 1:15 AM
@regularmovieguy - Not Matrix?
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 12/23/2020, 1:22 AM
@tmp3

Dependent on reviews.... I’m hyped for it for nostalgia-sake right now but the Wachowski’s have been more miss than hit in recent years.

Need a trailer 👍🏻
LameLuka
LameLuka - 12/23/2020, 4:54 AM
@regularmovieguy - Dune, GvK, The Suicide Squad, Matrix are all theater movies for me. The rest I'm fine with torrenting lol
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 12/23/2020, 1:00 AM
Aren't all movies also going to be shown in cinemas too? Whatever happens though, I want to watch this and The Suicide Squad on the big screen
bman263
bman263 - 12/23/2020, 1:01 AM
As it always should have. [frick]ing dumbasses
bman263
bman263 - 12/23/2020, 1:02 AM
WHY THE FRICK WOULD RELEASE MOVIES LIKE GvK AND Dune on VOD?
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 12/23/2020, 1:28 AM
@bman263 - Um.. pandemic?
dracula
dracula - 12/23/2020, 1:31 AM
@bman263 - the last godzilla movie didnt do that well anyway and pandemic
bman263
bman263 - 12/23/2020, 2:16 AM
@GwenLantern - Valid point.
bman263
bman263 - 12/23/2020, 2:16 AM
@dracula - true
LameLuka
LameLuka - 12/23/2020, 4:55 AM
@bman263 - cause they are idiots
rebellion
rebellion - 12/23/2020, 1:03 AM
Bless the maker
dracula
dracula - 12/23/2020, 2:15 AM
@rebellion - Well hopefully it turns out well, if not it will only kill theaters faster. Remember Tenet did more harm than good. didn't make enough to warrant the cost of screening it
rebellion
rebellion - 12/23/2020, 2:29 AM
@dracula - i think they will need to delay it to 2022 if they decise against release on max. Im just happy they are willing to do what they can to secure at least another movie. I can wait.
dracula
dracula - 12/23/2020, 2:31 AM
@rebellion - You know they are still filming big movies, if all the 2020 and 2021 movies were moved to 2022, everything would suffer. Would be too many blockbusters
Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 12/23/2020, 5:30 AM
@rebellion - You're welcome.
Vanillain
Vanillain - 12/23/2020, 1:11 AM
In other news: according to Sony, they got a boost of creators approaching them for the standard theatrical release model: https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/22/22195963/sony-warnermedia-hbo-max-streaming-disney-plus-theatrical-releases-hollywood
tmp3
tmp3 - 12/23/2020, 1:14 AM
AT&T is gonna back-track on this for Suicide Squad, Dune and Matrix 4
GwenLantern
GwenLantern - 12/23/2020, 1:27 AM
"...when COVID vaccines should achieve herd immunity."

And when it doesn't you'll happily let Warners pull the movie, right? You don't mind it not going to theatrical if it means lives are saved? Because lives are more important than money, right? Right?

Well then, we'd better hope we're all immune by October or Legendary's gonna have to eat their bullshit words and admit that they want the movie released theatrically no matter how many lives have to be lost.
VileBlood
VileBlood - 12/23/2020, 4:49 AM
@GwenLantern - Warner are releasing movies into theaters as we speak. Why is it ok for Warner and not Legendary? HBO Max isn't available outside the US so you can't use that excuse. Warner are putting films into theaters no matter how many lives have to be lost.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 12/23/2020, 1:28 AM
Dune definitely looks like one I'd wanna see in theaters.
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