2020 was an important year for WarnerMedia. After many were concerned that the studio was late to the streaming game with its (horribly titled) HBO Max streaming service, WarnerMedia wowed people with its platform that has a deep bench of library titles and a very aggressive lineup of originals. Oh and there’s that whole thing about the studio sending all of WB’s 2021 lineup directly to HBO Max on the same day as theaters. But according to CEO Jason Kilar, there’s a lot of experimentation in the future and also the potential for more “Harry Potter.”
READ MORE: HBO Max Executive Talks ‘Harry Potter’ TV Spinoff & Confirms No Deals Are In Place Yet
Speaking at the 2021 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference 2021 (you guys all got your tickets, right?), Kilar talked about what’s to come with Warner Bros. and HBO Max and teased potentially more “Harry Potter” spinoffs and sequels in the future.
Regarding the Wizarding World, there have been rumors that HBO Max is currently developing a live-action series that will take place in the world of ‘Potter.’ In addition, we know that “Fantastic Beasts 3” is in production. But it sure doesn’t sound like WarnerMedia is willing to slow down ‘Potter’ expansion just yet.
READ MORE: Chris Columbus Wanted To Return For Last Two ‘Harry Potter’ Movies
“There’s this little thing called ‘Harry Potter,’ which is one of the most beloved franchises,” Kilar said (via THR). “And we’re incredibly thankful to be able to partner with J.K. Rowling and so I would argue there’s a lot of fun and potential there as well.”
Obviously, more ‘Harry Potter’ will get people to rush to the theaters and also buy an HBO Max subscription. But another way WarnerMedia has been navigating these post-pandemic times is with the day-and-date schedule of WB films in theaters and HBO Max. Many have worried that this deal will be detrimental to the theatrical experience and further add to the pain that cinemas are feeling right now.
As far as whether this strategy is a sign of the times or the way of the future, Kilar isn’t sure. He predicts that right now, we’re in the experimentation phase.
READ MORE: Steven Soderbergh Working With Zoe Kravitz On A New HBO Max Film, ‘KIMI’
“I do tend to agree with [Disney CEO] Bob Chapek when he says it’s hard to imagine going back to 2015 in terms of the windows that existed for theatrical and everything that happened afterwards,” Kilar said. “It’s so dynamic. People are absolutely experimenting.”
As we approach what could be a second straight Summer Movie Season without any major movies in theaters, all eyes are on WarnerMedia, Disney, and the other major studios to see how they negotiate with cinemas. Will day-and-date streaming/theatrical be the way of the future? Will the window of theatrical exclusivity be reduced to 30 days or less? We’ll have to wait and see.
