Other than affecting when you get to see a film, the way a studio shifts its release date for a film tends to say a lot about how the company views its upcoming product. And in the case of Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” adaptation and the Ben Affleck film “The Way Back,” it would appear that the studio involved is pretty confident it has some crowd-pleasers, as both films find new release dates.
First, let’s talk about what very well might be one of the most anticipated films of 2020, “Dune.” The upcoming sci-fi epic comes from an acclaimed director and features an insanely stacked cast, all hoping to finally give Frank Herbert’s classic novel series the proper big-screen treatment (no offense, David Lynch). Deadline is reporting that “Dune” is moving out of its November 20, 2020 release date for a more holiday-themed date of December 18.
Why the move? The report doesn’t say, but it’s clear that Warner Bros. feels the extended holiday box office magic of Christmas will help “Dune” reach the heights that it can. November tends to always be crowded and only offers a limited holiday window. December, on the other hand, has proven to be a huge time for recent big-budget franchises like “Aquaman,” “Star Wars,” and “Jumanji.” And with none of those franchises (or any other holiday-dominating films), there’s a chance that “Dune” could break out and become the blockbuster that the studio hopes.
On the other hand, it’s a bit more complicated for “The Way Back.” Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the drama stars Ben Affleck as a former basketball star that is attempting a comeback as a high school coach, after his career and life get sideswiped by addiction. The film was originally set for a fall 2019 release, which would have potentially set it up for awards consideration.
However, Deadline says that WB has been testing the film and thinks that it could be a box office winner. That means, putting it in a crowded field in October could doom the film’s moneymaking chances. So, WB has decided that March 6, 2020, is a more appropriate date for the film if it hopes to become a hit. Of course, this eliminates the film from awards contention in 2019, which some might see as an admission that “The Way Back” (formerly titled “Torrance”) is not the high-caliber Oscar film that the studio originally hoped for.
We’ll, of course, have to wait until next year to see how these release date changes impact both films. But just changing the dates sure does tell a fascinating story.