With the number of major studios films set to be released this fall becoming fewer and fewer as more get delayed or switch to streaming services, all eyes are on “Wonder Woman 1984” as the last hope for a dying theatrical business this year. Unfortunately, not even the film’s director is confident that her superhero blockbuster will be arriving in theaters this year, as many begin to assume that it will be delayed, yet again.
Speaking to Variety, director Patty Jenkins was asked about the probability of “Wonder Woman 1984” actually getting released this December. This comes after the film was pushed from its original June date to October before landing on the holiday season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But even with theaters being opened and films being released, Jenkins isn’t quite sure if Warner Bros. is willing to risk it and release ‘WW84’ in a less-than-ideal environment.
“I don’t think anybody can be confident of anything right now,” Jenkins said. “We just don’t know what the course of COVID is going to be like.”
That said, the director added that she’s “very hopeful” about the current Christmas release date and said, “It feels totally possible to me.”
Even though it feels possible to Jenkins, analysts are concerned that the reality of the situation will prevent WB from taking a chance with its potentially billion-dollar film. With Regal Cinemas locations in the US closed without any idea of when they’re reopening and the lackluster ticket sales right now, the confidence that the theatrical exhibition business is going to rebound before Christmas is low. In fact, some are expecting AMC Theatres, the world’s largest theater chain, will have to file for bankruptcy in the next several months. All told, it’s clear that releasing a film right now means low ticket sales and a high likelihood that you won’t make a profit. But then again, maybe that will change by Christmas?
For Jenkins, the craziest part is that the process of making and releasing “Wonder Woman 1984” is unlike anything she’s ever experienced. She’s worked so hard on the superhero sequel but she can’t allow anyone to see it.
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“It’s unbelievably surreal,” Jenkins said. “The biggest surreality about it is it’s supposed to be one adventure, right? You sign on to the movie, you write the movie, you direct the movie, you make the movie, the movie comes out, and you move on. Instead, like, I spent three years doing one thing, seven days a week, and then I just popped out of it to just nothing. No evidence of that [work].”
For now, “Wonder Woman 1984” is set to open on Christmas Day. Maybe.
