Warner Bros. Hellbent on Not Doing Simultaneous Releases in 2022

Earlier this August, WB struck a deal with AMC Theatres and committed to return to an exclusive, 45-day theatrical window in 2022.

However, with the delta and omicron variants of COVID-19 emerging, it was doubtful whether the studio will follow through with this strategy.

Warner Bros. CEO Ann Sarnoff has assured that they have no plans to go back to a day and date streaming release.

Sarnoff spoke at a conference hosted by Bloomberg Wednesday and said that even though the cinema business and sales are still impacted due to the pandemic, it is highly unlikely that WB will release its theatre exclusive titles simultaneously on HBO Max.

Sarnoff commented that they did consider the possibility briefly,

Have we thought about going back to day and date? Sure, we thought about it, but we have made our commitments to the theaters to the agents to the talent. Everyone was hoping we would be on the other side of the pandemic by now.

Ann Sarnoff

Sarnoff mentioned that the older audience over 35 are still hesitant to step out but it’s not the same for the younger moviegoers.

When WarnerMedia had announced that it would be opening its 2021 slate simultaneously on HBO Max, cinema operators very vocal about their disappointment.

Movies like WW84 followed the day-and-date strategy and to no one’s surprise, tanked heavily at the box office. Not only that but due to this move, the Wonder Woman sequel also became one of 2020’s most pirated film.

However, with long-awaited films like The Batman and Harry Potter slated for releases early next year, the studio is confident that these titles will bring in a lot of crowd.

For us to really get back in full swing we need the broader spectrum of demographics and tastes. As a whole we are hoping by next spring when we have The Batman release, that we will have much more full attendance.

Sarnoff also compared WB’s strategy to that of Netflix and Disney+, adding that the former lacked “major franchises” whereas the latter lacked a “four quadrant approach.” She added that with DC Comics and HBO, WB has both.

Talking about WB’s one of the most, if not the most, important franchises of all time – Harry Potter, Sarnoff said that the studio is hoping to develop more original content out of the IP.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter