Much like the Dark Knight from his three ‘Batman’ films, all eyes are on filmmaker Christopher Nolan to help save the world. And by “save the world,” I mean that movie theaters around the world are hoping that Nolan’s new film “Tenet” will hit its July 17 release date and lead to a massive resurgence of business in cinemas, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down. Well, it seems that Nolan is ready to suit up and swing into action, but maybe Warner Bros. isn’t so sure.
According to a new report from Variety, sources tell the outlet that WB is set to decide the fate of “Tenet” within a week. The reason for the seemingly early deadline is the studio’s necessary lead time for a competent marketing campaign. If WB expects to release the massive blockbuster in July, the studio has to start spreading awareness ASAP and cinema chains will need to begin preparations to have everything going as close to “normal” as possible by then.
From all reports, it appears that AMC, Regal, and other major cinema chains are hoping to have a majority of their theaters back up and going in North America by July, which would give them enough time to prepare for the arrival of “Tenet” on July 17 and Disney’s “Mulan” a week later. However, it’s difficult to predict if that will be too soon or not, especially when you consider places like New York and California seem further behind than most states with reopening procedures. And without two of the biggest cities (NYC and LA) showing films, perhaps WB would want to delay until later in 2020.
READ MORE: AMC Won’t Reopen Theaters Until New Studio Films Are Ready, Most Likely In July
As the report points out, even though Christopher Nolan has been steadfast in his desire to have “Tenet” be the film that reopens cinemas, the blockbuster is still a very expensive feature that WB is hoping will earn at least $1 billion. And to reach that goal, the studio has to make sure theaters can support that kind of business.
Variety also says that theaters are hoping that a new marketing campaign can begin soon that will feature Nolan, along with other filmmakers, urging folks to return to cinemas in the weeks to come. However, without “Tenet,” that could all be for naught. If “Tenet” is delayed, all eyes are on Disney to see if it will keep “Mulan” in July. And if the Mouse House moves that film, we’re looking at WB’s “Wonder Woman 1984” in August as the next big film.
Needless to say, there are a lot of questions that still need answers. And a lot of those answers rest on the fate of Nolan’s new feature.