Warner Bros has followed the Tenet precedent by maintaining a theatrical release date for tentpole sequel, but it will also be online
The decision by Warner Bros to release Christopher Nolan’s Tenet in cinemas last August despite depleted venues and public confidence was hailed as a brave attempt to save a beleaguered industry. The lukewarm numbers – just $56m in the US – were reckoned by some to have been behind Universal’s announcement that they were postponing the release of Bond movie No Time to Die to April 2021; a move that in turn was blamed by Cineworld for their decision to close all venues in the US and UK.
Yet the studio has doubled down on the strategy, announcing plans to stick to a Christmas Day cinema release for superhero sequel Wonder Woman 1984 – although the film will also be simultaneously available online.