In the wake of Warner Bros. Pictures’ sudden announcement the other week that its entire 2021 film slate would go day-and-date on HBO Max, there were immediate repercussions.
The news sent much of the industry reeling, but soon many started to get angry. One such group was Legendary, the co-financiers and co-producers of Denis Villeneuve’s lavish “Dune” film adaptation which planned a potential legal challenge.
That stance may have paid off as Deadline reports that a resolution to the dispute might end with “Dune” being an exclusive theatrical release after all:
“Rumors have the solution to that breach being to preserve ‘Dune’ as a traditional theatrical to preserve its franchise potential and since its October 1st release date falls well after the estimated late spring date when Covid vaccines should achieve herd immunity.”
The other Legendary film at the center of the controversy, “Godzilla vs. Kong,” may still retain the HBO Max strategy but WarnerMedia is reportedly working with Legendary on a deal that more akin to the one Netflix was offering a while back (one worth roughly $250 million).
For now, both titles are still planned as HBO Max and theatrical debuts day-and-date in 2021.
