Over the weekend, WarnerMedia took a major step in its plan to make HBO Max a legit contender to Netflix by releasing one of its biggest films of the year, “Wonder Woman 1984,” on the streaming service. Not only did this set a precedent of releasing a potentially billion-dollar blockbuster on HBO Max at the same time as theaters, but it also showed that WarnerMedia was willing to release some of its superhero properties directly on a streaming service instead of worrying about a traditional release. And apparently, this is something WarnerMedia is likely going to continue to do in the future.
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According to a New York Times profile of DC Films‘ Walter Hamada, some of the biggest superhero films of the next several years are likely headed towards HBO Max instead of theaters, pumping up the demand for HBO Max while also using the platform to expand some of the franchises in new ways. But how will WarnerMedia figure out which of the DC superhero films are destined for a streaming fate and which will get full theatrical releases? Well, it appears it’s going to come down to cost.
The most expensive DC movies (up to four a year, starting in 2022) are designed for release in theaters, Mr. Hamada said. Additional superhero films (two annually is the goal) will arrive exclusively on HBO Max, the fledgling streaming service owned by WarnerMedia. Upcoming superhero films like “Batgirl” and “Static Shock” are used as examples of films that are likely headed to HBO Max instead of theaters. Basically, the non-‘Batman’, non-‘Superman‘ films that focus on characters that aren’t necessarily household names.
The good news for those with HBO Max is that there will be some properties that will come to the streaming service for the price of a subscription fee. The bad news is WarnerMedia is limiting the properties that could become breakout hits in theaters and limiting the growth potential of something like “Batgirl.” Sure, there are hits on streaming, but what if “Static Shock” was poised to be the new “Iron Man?” We’ll never know if WarnerMedia decides to release it only on HBO Max.
But less-expensive superhero films aren’t the only superhero projects heading to HBO Max. According to Hamada, fans should expect more spinoffs like the upcoming “Peacemaker” series that is coming to the streaming service after “The Suicide Squad” debuts.
“With every movie that we’re looking at now, we are thinking, ‘What’s the potential Max spinoff?’” Mr. Hamada said.
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This strategy is also the reasoning behind the upcoming Gotham City Police Department spinoff from “The Batman.” What’s next? Perhaps a Steve Trevor prequel taking place pre-“Wonder Woman?” Maybe a Willem Dafoe spinoff about his character from “Aquaman?” We’ll have to wait and see. What we do know is that the interview claims there are no current plans for a spinoff or sequels for Zack Snyder’s highly-anticipated “Justice League” Director’s Cut. In fact, the report claims that the studio describes the “Justice League” recut as “a storytelling cul-de-sac — a street that leads nowhere.”
Regardless, it appears that all of this means WarnerMedia is ready to transition a lot of its superhero output to HBO Max. So, if you enjoyed watching “Wonder Woman 1984” from the comfort of your own home, there will be plenty more where that came from.