Patty Jenkins, director of Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984, is the latest filmmaker to slam the decision of movie studios shifting to a strategy involving day-and-date releases of blockbuster films on streaming platforms.
Speaking during last week’s CinemaCon, Jenkins commented on the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max and expressed her disappointment at the streaming release, calling it a “very, very, very difficult choice” that was “detrimental” to the movie.
“I don’t think it plays the same on streaming ever,” Jenkins said. “It was the right choice for all of us, and I was very much in deep conversation with Warner Bros. about that particular film. But no, I’m not a fan.”
Jenkins went on to echo other directors who insist that movies are meant to be seen on the big screen, arguing that the theatrical experience should be held at a higher regard rather than streaming, which has become inundated as of late.
“I’m OK with people watching it for a second or third time on their phone, but I’m not making it for that experience,” Jenkins explained. “I love the theatrical experience, and I don’t understand why we’re talking about throwing it away for 700 streaming services that there’s no room for in the marketplace.”
“It doesn’t make sense for studios that have billion-dollar industries to throw them in the garbage so they can roll the dice at competing with Netflix. It’s crazy to me.”
Warner Bros. isn’t the only studio that has experimented with day-to-date releases, but it has definitely been the most aggressive. The studio shocked the industry back in December 2020 when it announced that it would be bringing its entire 2021 slate to HBO Max and theaters simultaneously.
Fans of Warner Bros.’ biggest properties have since been able to enjoy films such as The Suicide Squad, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Space Jam: A New Legacy in the comfort of their homes on day one. Malignant, James Wan’s highly anticipated return to horror, will be available on September 10, followed by Dune and The Matrix: Resurrections on October 22 and December 22, respectively.
[…] Jenkins’ message for Hollywood was a broader appeal for studios and theaters to bring massive audiences back to cinemas. She implored studios to stop ceding genres like adult dramas to streaming services. She also didn’t spare theaters themselves, which in her view often fail to live up to the romanticized version of the theatrical experience that CinemaCon promotes.
Source: LA Times