Los Angeles, United States.
Hollywood has stalled premieres. If life were still analogous, celluloid towers and towers would crowd their warehouses in anticipation of the moment to hit theaters.
Now the reality is digital, but the problem is the same: the pandemic has meant that the vast majority of blockbusters will have to be delayed by 2020, which will have to find their place in a highly anticipated 2021 by moviegoers.
The latest James Bond adventure has been postponed since last spring, the fourth episode of “Matrix“, Lebron James’ debut sequel to”Space Jam“, the revamped version of” Dune “and the return of Wes Anderson are just some of the premieres scheduled for the new year, a season born under great uncertainty and in which no one knows when it will be safe to return. theaters.
Will we see the new “West Side Story” in the movies or at our house? The revision of the mythical musical could have secured its projection on the big screen, as it won’t be released until next Christmas, but the road isn’t that clear for “James Bond: No Time To Die” (April), “Black Widow“(mayo),”Fast and furious 9“(Mayor”Jurassic World: Dominion“(June).
To shed a little light on this maze: Warner Bros. has been the fastest studio to make a move, since in 2021 and to the coronavirus ceasefire all his films will be simultaneously in cinemas and in “streaming“A practically deadly blow to theaters with which he has ensured that he will release his films.
The streaming, ally of the studios and enemy of the cinemas
Until now, no studio, except Netflix, had dared to do one at the same time blockbuster in movie theaters and on the internet. The famous “distribution window” in which the tires waited three months before reaching the domestic market was meticulously respected. But on Christmas Day, everything changed: Disney and Pixar launched directly by the Disney + platform “Soul“one of the animated movies of the year, and Warner Bros. released”Wonder Woman 1984“an HBO Max.
The strategy of the former was punctual, that of the latter was the inauguration of the method used HBO Max will host all of the studio’s films by 2021: “Godzilla to Kong“,”In the heights“,”Space Jam: A new legacy“,”The suicide squad“,”Dune“and”Matrix 4“, among other.
The same day they hit theaters (a few open), they’ll be available in the streaming servicefor 30 days. The funny thing is that, as of 2021, HBO Max will still be an exclusive product in the US that is expected Europe and Latin America year round, but a huge promotion is guaranteed to steal some market Netflix.
On the other side of the coin is Disney. The entertainment giant has been less radical and continues to invest heavily in cinemas. At the moment it has only been released “Mulan“and Soulvia Disney +. And the first in return for a not inconsiderable $ 30 as an additional cost.
His next movie, “Raya and the last dragon“follows the pattern of”Mulan“In March and from there … we’ll see. For now, Marvel fans will see”Black Widow (May) and “The Eternals“(November) in theaters, according to the company’s plans. Also Pixar’s visit to the Italian Riviera with”Luca“(June) and” Encanto “(November) trip to Colombia keep their exclusive big screen premiere. Same as the” Jungle Cruise “(July) of Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Remakes and historical sagas
Platforms yes, platforms no, Hollywood obsession because the reviving of its classics will remain intact. In 2021 a new version of “West Side Storyunder the direction of Steven Spielberg and it will not be the only jewel of the seventh art to be renewed.
After “Blade Runner 2049Denis Villeneuve returns to the classics of science fiction with a new “Dune” featuring the best of contemporary Hollywood, Timothée Chamalet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling.
Even Tom Cruise will return to “Top Gunmore than 30 years after its premiere with a sequel to the eighties film par excellence.
And outside of ‘remakes’ there is still room for continuations of legends like’Ghostbusters “,” Jurassic World “,” Fast and Furious “,” Matrix “,” Minions “,”James Bond“and”Tomb Raider“.
Off the commercial circuit, it will be in February Frances McDormand with “Nomadland“, a film that has praised critics who have already seen it and that sounds like a favorite for the Oscars.
“The Kings ManIt will arrive in March, while there is still no date to re-enter Wes Anderson’s picturesque universes with “The French Dispatch”, although it will likely be before the “biopic” over Elvis Presley Baz Luhrmann takes center stage in the autumn.
The when seems clear, the how not yet.