UPDATED: The original Hollywood Reporter article has been updated, and amended with significant parts removed, fundamentally altering the discussion between WB and Nolan. Originally, the report claimed that Nolan was given the option of delaying “Tenet” by “months,” but that has been changed to weeks changing the entire basis for the below article. The changes are reflected throughout.
With COVID-19 cases spiking in the U.S. and multiple states, including New York and New Jersey (both huge in box office terms), still not announcing when cinemas can reopen, it’s quite clear that this year’s Summer Movie Season is likely going to be completely lost. But yet, unlike studios who have moved movies such as “F9” and “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” “Venom,” and the new “Minions” sequel out of 2020 entirely, Warner Bros. is still trying its best to get Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” into cinemas in August. Why would the studio do something that is clearly going to result in a smaller box office total and possibly a big loss?
It’s appeared for some time now that Nolan wanted to use “Tenet” as a boost to cinemas when COVID-19 was “resolved” and it was safe to return to moviegoing. That idea seemed a bit noble in, say, April when the world assumed that maybe July would be a safe time for theaters to re-open. But now that we’re merely two weeks from the original release date of “Tenet,” and many still believe the studio should push the film into 2021 for now and not play chicken with a pandemic and the myriad issues at play for safety.
In a report from THR, it appears that Warner Bros. held a video conference call between the heads of the studio and Christopher Nolan and his wife/producing partner, Emma Thomas. The report claims that WB laid out a few possible outcomes for releasing “Tenet” early—the potential profits and losses associated with all the potential dates for the film. In fact, Nolan reportedly told the studio being one of the first films in theaters post-COVID-19 wasn’t about money, but it was instead about showing faith in the theatrical experience and show solidarity with theater owners, who are struggling to stay afloat. Ultimately, WB listened to Nolan and “Tenet” was only delayed by two weeks. Then, of course, it was shortly delayed again until August 12.
READ MORE: AMC Theatres Delays Reopening In Light Of New ‘Tenet’ Date
“We are very proud of ‘Tenet’ and can’t wait for people to see it in theaters,” said Warner Pictures Group boss Toby Emmerich. “However, we only want people to go to theaters when state and local officials say they can be safely reopened.”
It’s unclear if WB is looking at potential profits and losses of a fall release for “Tenet.” But right now, things aren’t looking great for theatrical re-openings given a COVID spike that seems as bad as the initial wave. “Tenet” was originally scheduled for early July, but could potentially get delayed even further into late August or early September. Perhaps, the numbers could be so grim that WB just avoids the pressure of being one of the first films back and moves “Tenet” to 2021?
Again, with so much uncertainty about the rest of the summer, it would appear that another video conference call is in the future for WB and Nolan.