The doom and gloom exhibitors and theaters must feel about their industry thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic must be feeling worse right now. “Wonder Woman 1984” is heading to HBO Max on Christmas Day (though it will open in whatever theaters are open at that time), and now, the word is Warner Bros. is debating the same thing with their next upcoming franchise blockbuster, “Godzilla Vs. Kong.”
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures are looking to take the movie to a streaming service. This likely means, HBO Max who is under the Warner Media umbrella, always get first dibs. However, the trade says Netflix put in a $200 million bid for the film.
Warner Media. apparently blocked the bid and is apparently in talks with Legendary Pictures, the film’s producers, to take the film to HBO Max. Warners has a 25% stake in the movie, Legendary 75%, and given their relationship; a deal doesn’t feel like it’s out of the question.
For their part, Warner Bros insists all is right as rain and spokesperson said, “We plan to release ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ theatrically next year as scheduled.” That seems debatable and holding the party line for now, but currently, “Godzilla vs. Kong” is set for May 21, 2021, the frame before Memorial Day weekend. If the movie does movie to HBO Max or any other streaming service, well, frankly, none of us should be surprised given the way things are going with Covid spikes and a Trump administration that has done next to nothing over the last few months, nor even attended any Coronavirus taskforce meetings.
Adam Wingard directed the movie, and is known for art-house horror thrillers like “You’re Next,” “The Guest,” and Netflix’s “Death Note.” “Godzilla Vs. Kong” stars Alexander Skarsgård, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Jessica Henwick, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, and Demián Bichir. Returning from the previous film in the series, “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” are Brown and Chandler and Chinese actor Zhang Ziyi.
READ MORE: ‘Godzilla 2’ Tramples Box Office Competition But Isn’t Nearly As King-Sized As Expected
The film is presumed to be a rock-em-sock-em monster face-off and would be the fourth film in Legendary and Warner’s Monsterverse. The franchise began in 2014 with “Godzilla,” which rebooted the franchise and grossed $514 million globally in theaters. “Kong: Skull Island” re-introduced audiences to King Kong and followed in 2017 with a $566.7 worldwide box office total. The last entry released was 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” which underwhelmed, only nabbing $386.6 million worldwide, but $1.4 billion combined for all three films isn’t too shabby.