What’s going to happen to “Wonder Woman 1984?” That was the million, err, billion-dollar question. The plan, up until recently, was two options: 1) a summer 2021 theatrical release or 2) stick with December 25, 2020, theatrical release — minimal, of course, given the way COVID-19 is spiking across the U.S. — and an HBO Max release shortly thereafter in January. Welp, oops, Warner Bros. accidentally revealed its hand tonight, inadvertently uploading an unlisted trailer with the HBO Max info listed at the very end: a December 25 theatrical and HBO Max release concurrently. The trades confirmed the release date news shortly thereafter.
READ MORE: Patty Jenkins Is “Very Hopeful” ‘WW84’ Will Open This Year: “It Feels Totally Possible”
Variety says “internationally, where HBO Max is not available, “Wonder Woman 1984” will play in theaters. The exact release date overseas is unknown.” That is in a clear attempt to draw subscribers to the fledgling service that has been growing steadily but still struggling to compete with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon. It’s also one of the first big competition streaming head to heads as “Wonder Woman 1984” will face off against Disney & Pixar’s “Soul,” which is also debuting on Disney+ on Christmas Day.
Unfortunately, even this option is devastating for theaters, though the short Christmas run is better in the short term. Right now, theaters are struggling immensely, with many facing the genuine possibility of bankruptcy by the beginning of 2021. So, there will be some pleased about a short release over the option of waiting months and possibly going out of business before “Wonder Woman 1984” even hits theaters. However, a short theatrical run likely won’t be the huge boost in business that theaters expect, especially if enough people are willing to wait until the streaming release.
Needless to say, WarnerMedia had to make a big decision. And this is a decision that could have an incredible impact on the streaming business and theaters. But, here we are.
“Wonder Woman 1984” will arrive in theaters and on HBO Max on Christmas Day. Presumably, that new trailer with the new date, will surface soon.
Here’s the official HBO Max press release:
Today, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that its highly anticipated superhero tentpole film WONDER WOMAN 1984 will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform in the U.S. on December 25, while debuting theatrically in international markets a week earlier starting on December 16. The film will be available for a month on HBO Max in the U.S., included at no additional cost to subscribers.
“As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which includes Warner Bros. Pictures. “This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen, and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open. We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see WONDER WOMAN 1984 via our HBO Max platform.”
“We appreciate how patient audiences have been, and given the great anticipation around WONDER WOMAN 1984, we are grateful to be able to make this terrifically entertaining movie widely available in these challenging times,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big-screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
With director Patty Jenkins back at the helm and Gal Gadot returning in the title role, “Wonder Woman 1984” is Warner Bros. Pictures’ follow up to the DC Super Hero’s first outing, 2017’s record-breaking “Wonder Woman,” which took in $822 million at the worldwide box office. The film also stars Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.
Charles Roven, Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Patty Jenkins, Gal Gadot, and Stephen Jones are producing the film. Rebecca Steel Roven Oakley, Richard Suckle, Marianne Jenkins, Geoff Johns, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo, and Wesley Coller are the executive producers.
Patty Jenkins directed from a screenplay she wrote with Geoff Johns & David Callaham, a story by Jenkins & Johns, based on DC characters. Joining the director behind the scenes are several members of her “Wonder Woman” team, including director of photography Matthew Jensen, Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“Topsy-Turvy”). Oscar-nominated editor Richard Pearson (“United 93”) is cutting the film. The music is by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer (“Dunkirk,” “The Lion King”).
Update: the trailer was finally released.