Update: Dune still set for HBO Max October debut says WB exec

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Update: Traversing the Warner Bros backlot these days is probably as challenging as navigating the Solange Wastes on Arrakis with a big ass sandworm under the surface. This is to say that Denis Villeneuve's Dune has had an imposing journey toward its release. This being the case, we're now hearing that Dune will remain a hybrid release by debuting in theaters and on HBO Max on October 1st. The confusion about the film's release stems from a Deadline article published on May 17th, stating that WB had reversed its decision to release the movie day-and-date in theaters and on HBO Max.

The situation was then given some clarity by Johanna Fuentes, head of communications at WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group. The executive wrote on social media: “‘Dune’ will premiere in theaters and on HBO Max on the same day in the U.S.” The update was then corroborated by Warner Bros. distribution chief Jeff Goldstein, who also confirmed that there will be "no change" to Dune's release plan.

At the end of the day, all you really need to know is that Dune will screen in theaters and on HBO Max beginning on October 1st, as intended.

Original Article:

When Warner Bros. announced that they would be releasing their entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max last year, it wasn't just the public who were caught off guard, but also the creative teams behind those movies who didn't have much notice from the studio. Denis Villeneuve, director of the upcoming Dune remake, was one of those directors who strongly voiced his opposition to the plan, but it seems that Dune might just be destined for an exclusive theatrical release after all.

Buried in a Deadline story about the recent $43 billion dollar merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery was a tidbit that stated that Warner Bros. have reached a deal with Regal Cinemas to restore 45-day theatrical windows in 2022 before their titles stream on HBO Max, and Dune will be the first test subject. According to multiple sources, Deadline states that Dune will premiere at the Venice Film Festival in September before exclusively hitting theaters in October, after which it will likely land on HBO Max. This move could also have something to do with conversations between WarnerMedia and Legendary Entertainment, as the latter company financed 75% of Dune's budget (as well as Godzilla vs. Kong). While the two companies did come to an agreement in regards to Godzilla vs. Kong, Legendary might not have been so willing to let Dune follow the same path.

WarnerMedia's Jason Kilar was the driving force behind Warner's simultaneous release plan, but the recent WarnerMedia/Discovery deal (which is expected to close in 2022) has him negotiating his exit now that the merged company will be headed up by Discovery CEO David Zaslav. With Kilar seemingly out the door, the new bosses might just reverse a few of his choices and hopefully win back those who were infuriated by the plan. When the HBO Max plan was first announced, Denis Villeneuve was rather upset, accusing parent company AT&T of having no love for cinema, even saying that the move could kill the Dune franchise before it even had a chance to begin. "Streaming services are a positive and powerful addition to the movie and TV ecosystems," Villenueve said. "But I want the audience to understand that streaming alone can’t sustain the film industry as we knew it before COVID. Streaming can produce great content, but not movies of “Dune’s” scope and scale. Warner Bros.’ decision means “Dune” won’t have the chance to perform financially in order to be viable and piracy will ultimately triumph. Warner Bros. might just have killed the “Dune” franchise." At the moment, Dune is slated to hit theaters on October 1, 2021.