THE SUICIDE SQUAD Director James Gunn Open To An On Demand Release...But Only If There's No Other Option

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Director James Gunn Open To An On Demand Release...But Only If There's No Other Option

Like most studios, Warner Bros. is resisting releasing its upcoming films on VOD platforms, but filmmaker James Gunn would be happy for The Suicide Squad to debut on the small screen...if it has to!

By Nighthawk01 - Jun 15, 2020 04:06 AM EST
Filed Under: The Suicide Squad

The global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has forced many studios to release films on VOD and streaming platforms sooner than anticipated, though not as many as you might have expected. 

Instead, the decision has been made to delay the likes of Wonder Woman 1984 and Tenet as studios such as Warner Bros. look to ensure they actually regain their costs from an eventual theatrical run. Just this weekend, Artemis Fowl and The King of Staten Island were released on VOD/streaming, but if this crisis continues, what will become of a film like The Suicide Squad?

Talking to fans on Instagram, Gunn was asked if he would consider releasing that or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on streaming (assuming the decision was up to him). His response? "Only if that was the only way they could be seen," the filmmaker stated matter of factly. 

Clearly, he would like his work to be viewed on the big screen, and you'll struggle to find many directors who wouldn't agree with that sentiment. The Suicide Squad isn't actually set for its theatrical release until next August, and it's impossible to imagine a sense of normality not having been restored by then. If not, the filmgoing experience as we know it will be truly gone forever. 

Click HERE for more The Suicide Squad news from CBM!

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bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 6/15/2020, 4:57 AM
I think by the time The Suicide Squad, and especially Guardians 3, are released, VOD releases aren't a necessary tool anymore
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 6/15/2020, 8:30 AM
God, I hope COVID doesn't last that long.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 6/15/2020, 12:10 PM
@Darkknight2149 -
COVID could disappear completely tomorrow and they'd still keep the restrictions for roughly 2 to 5 years either because they will claim it could come back or they'll be worried about another wave or simply because they do not tend to remove restrictions after the event is over.
Darkknight2149
Darkknight2149 - 6/15/2020, 3:26 PM
@Scarilian -
Not really. They have already tried to force a reopening numerous times now, because of the economy. If anything, I think the USA will fully reopen as soon as they think they can get away with it, and then close it again when COVID cases surge (again) and the stock market begins to tank (again). Of course, no matter what, the corporations are going to have virtually unlimited access to tax payer money while everyone else struggles to pay the bills because of the lack of emergency UBI or moratorium on bills, rent, etc.

From the sound of it, it doesn't even seem like the Coronavirus vaccine will be available to everyone, even when it's developed... because money.

https://www.thewrap.com/bernie-sanders-grills-health-administration-officials-over-availability-of-free-covid-19-vaccines/
CaptCoulson
CaptCoulson - 6/15/2020, 10:51 AM
umm... what was the point of including GOTG3 in that question? If things are okay enough that the movie can get made in the first place (are we forgetting it hasn't been shot yet?), then obviously theaters would be back up and running, releasing it streaming or not wouldn't be an issue.
Scarilian
Scarilian - 6/15/2020, 12:08 PM
People are demanding this movie? Lol.

In real talk, Cinema's are dead. They were barely making profit originally and the new financial model is going to destroy them after a few months. Social distancing makes them non-viable as a business and a majority of the movies they will show were barely attracting viewers anyway.

Cinema's simply will not survive if these restrictions stay in place.
Kozmik
Kozmik - 6/16/2020, 6:41 PM
@Scarilian - You're missing the forest for the trees because it's not about movie theaters, it's about people's lives. And social distancing doesn't make them non-viable as businesses, it only forces them to adapt a different model, for instance, less individuals per showing (seats can relatively easily be removed if that's the route they choose to take). That would amount to more showings at any given time–passing the costs on to consumers is unlikely to work. They're hopefully not that dumb because that would destroy them.
JoshuaDBr
JoshuaDBr - 6/15/2020, 7:22 PM
I have no desire to start watching blockbuster films at home instead of in theaters. The difference in experience is vast, and movie theaters are a massive part of the joy of new films.
Kozmik
Kozmik - 6/16/2020, 6:32 PM
Does it really matter what Gunn wants in this instance because while he may be the director, it's not his film, it's Warner Bros. They'll do whatever they think hews to their bottom line, what Gunn wants to happen is less relevant.
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