Christopher Nolan's TENET feels like the unsung hero of what's left of the summer movie season. While most releases have vacated their original release dates in the wake of COVID-19 and theater closures, TENET has stood its ground on its July 17th release date and still shows no signs of budging, even if some predictions indicate it's headed for a low opening due to the current state of affairs. There is a driving force behind TENET maintaining its spot and it all comes down to the creative force behind the film, Christopher Nolan.
In a recent earnings call via "Rerelease News", IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond confirmed Nolan is leading the charge behind TENET not running scared from its planned release:
"I don’t know anyone in America who is pushing harder than Chris Nolan to have the theaters open and to have his movie released in July when it’s scheduled for."
Gelfond also confirmed that post-production work is still being done on the film and it has stayed on track while Hollywood productions have all remained on lockdown. Gelfond says IMAX has "incorporated a number of remote tools into our workflows" and has made it safe for a select few of its staff members to access their facilities to keep the movie on track for its tentative release date this summer.
It's no surprise that Nolan is the main driving force fighting to make TENET meet its planned theatrical window. Christopher Nolan is as passionate about cinema and filmmaking as they come and his films are crafted first and foremost for the moviegoing experience. Nolan was also one of the first filmmakers to urge Congress to help exhibitors to not go permanently dark due to financial strain in the wake of the coronavirus fallout. Nolan also said that the studios need to do their part as well to help get theater chains back on track so that they will still remain a driving force when this is all over.
We'll have to wait and see exactly how much pull Nolan will have with when and how TENET is released. On the plus said, despite a projected low opening, it's believed the film could have long legs due to the fact it's one of three major summer releases on the calendar with MULAN following on July 24th and WONDER WOMAN 1984 on August 14th. You don't have another major release of significance until A QUIET PLACE: PART II in September after that so it could allow TENET to be a gradual player rather than a full-blown out of the gate hit. That being said, Warner Bros. spent a reported $205 million to get TENET made and that doesn't include marketing spend so the studio also has to think about what losses could occur if moviegoers aren't 100% ready, even by July 17th, to join groups in a movie theater. Streaming also isn't an option for TENET and screening the expensive film in only a handful of locations isn't feasible either.
I give Christopher Nolan credit for his passion. He seems 100% invested in all of his material and I know he wants TENET to be seen as it should be seen. Nolan may also feel a personal stake in all of this to have his film be the reason that we'll be ok to start going to the movies again once this eases up.
Do YOU think TENET will keep its date? Will YOU be seeing the film on opening weekend if it does?