It was only late last week when rumors began circulating that Warner Bros. was in early talks to release WONDER WOMAN 1984 directly to streaming, though now it would appear as if those reports had been unfounded.
An update on the status of WONDER WOMAN 1984 has recently reached the bullpen, with the latest word saying that Patty Jenkins' sequel to her 2017 record-breaking smash is still headed to theaters, and that the superhero spectacle will be re-positioned from its June 5 release to August 14.
“When we greenlit WW 1984 it was with every intention to be viewed on the big screen and are excited to announce that Warner Bros. Pictures will be bringing the film to theaters on August 14th. We hope the world will be in a safer and healthier place by then,” said Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Chairman Toby Emmerich in a statement today.
While Universal had recently made the decision to release Dreamworks Animation’s TROLLS WORLD TOUR directly to digital platforms beginning on April 10, Warners simply isn't willing to engage in a similar experiment with a sure-fire blockbuster the likes of WONDER WOMAN 1984. Pardon me for being blunt, but there's simply too much money involved, and when have you ever known a studio to sacrifice the almighty dollar in the interest of playing chicken with this year's already crippled box office returns?
In addition to moving WONDER WOMAN 1984 to an August release, New Line/Atomic Monster/Starlight Culture Entertainment Group has recently removed James Wan's horror flick MALIGNANT from its August launch. As of this moment, the film remains undated, as does Jon M. Chu's adaptation of IN THE HEIGHTS as well as SCOOB!, the animated origin story of Mystery Inc. Meanwhile, if you're concerned about the release of Christopher Nolan's TENENT, know that the studio is currently holding to the film's July 17 premiere.
Obviously, all of this stuff is subject to change as government officials and theater owners continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis. With a lot of patience, hard work, and plenty of social distancing, the world might soon return to "normal," but we've still got a ways to go. Stay safe and indoors for the time being, folks. The lives of billions are literally depending on it.