Wonder Woman 1984 is one of the biggest blockbusters of the season to bite the bullet and go for a primarily digital release. Warner Bros. announced that the film would go straight to HBO Max on December 25th along with a very limited theater release. However, that only goes for the United States, as HBO Max is not available outside the country, meaning there are still plans being made for other corners of the world that have slightly different restrictions. Recent reports indicate that the U.K. in particular may also be getting the film earlier than expected, with a theater release followed by a VOD offering as soon as a month later.
The film will begin its theater run in the U.K. on December 16th, but Warner Bros. is currently negotiating with Sky to bring the film to streaming in the region as well. Though the deal with the Comcast backed company has not been finalized, it is supposedly in the closing stages, and would see the latest DC Universe film arrive on VOD as early as a month after theater release. It’s not quite a day and date release, but it’s a surprisingly flexible arrangement compared to the typical waiting period for VOD releases in the region.
It is worth noting however that this seems to be a rare exception, rather than evidence of a shift in the release landscape. A senior source close to the discussions has said: “What we’re doing on the basis of trying to help out the studios and our partners is to look at an emergency COVID window which is just the maximum amount of flexibility to get movies onto screens, Wonder Woman 1984 isn’t setting up a precedent for the future, but acknowledging that we’re finding ways of working together.” So it seems that this kind of release planning may not last beyond the current pandemic situation.
The typical theater exclusivity window in the U.K. is 16 weeks, more or less. It can change depending on the specific film, but most stay somewhere near that range. As tiered lockdowns continue throughout the U.K. the uncertainty of what will be open and when has likely made VOD a more desirable release method for the movie, making it accessible to those who won’t be able to go in-person. As for now though, the film’s U.S. release has not changed.
Wonder Woman 1984 will release on December 25th in the U.S. and select U.K. theaters December 16th.
Source: Variety
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