Although movie-watching habits have been changing for years, with cheap big-screen television sets and ubiquitous streaming services, the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated those trends. Warner Bros.’ announcement, however, is a massive leap that none of its competitors has yet taken. The movie theater distribution business remains lucrative and crucial to Hollywood’s bottom line.
“No one wants films back on the big screen more than we do. We know new content is the lifeblood of theatrical exhibition, but we have to balance this with the reality that most theaters in the U.S. will likely operate at reduced capacity throughout 2021,” Ann Sarnoff, chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, said in a statement.
WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar said in Thursday’s blog post that the studio’s 2021 slate includes 17 films such as “The Little Things,” “Tom & Jerry,” “Godzilla vs. Kong,” “In The Heights” and “Dune.”
“Our content is extremely valuable, unless it’s sitting on a shelf not being seen by anyone,” Kilar said. “We believe this approach serves our fans, supports exhibitors and filmmakers, and enhances the HBO Max experience, creating value for all.”
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