Nolan Unhappy With HBO Max Film Release Plans

Much has been said about Warner Bros. recent decision to simultaneously release their entire 2021 film slate simultaneously on HBO Max. Fans are obviously excited, as the streaming service has gained over 4 million new subscribers since the announcement broke.

However, there are many within the industry that are very skeptical, and even outright frustrated. AMC Theatres was the first major company to come out against the decision. Since then, other theater chains, such as Cinemark, and even partnering studios like Legendary, who are co-financing Godzilla vs. Kong with Warners, have taken a stand.

Now, those on the creative side of the camera are beginning to speak out. Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan, doing press with ET Online for the home video release of Tenet, was asked to about his reaction to the controversial Warner Bros. decision:

Oh, I mean, disbelief. Especially the way in which they did. There’s such controversy around it, because they didn’t tell anyone. In 2021, they’ve got some of the top filmmakers in the world, they’ve got some of the biggest stars in the world who worked for years in some cases on these projects very close to their hearts that are meant to be big-screen experiences. They’re meant to be out there for the widest possible audiences… And now they’re being used as a loss-leader for the streaming service — for the fledgling streaming service — without any consultation. So, there’s a lot of controversy. It’s very, very, very, very messy. A real bait and switch. Yeah, it’s sort of not how you treat filmmakers and stars and people who, these guys have given a lot for these projects. They deserved to be consulted and spoken to about what was going to happen to their work.

Nolan does have a point. The films being released were obviously intended for the theatrical experience. Even with the extenuating circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s fair to state that the studio should have consulted with the creators. Nolan goes further with his comments, noting that it’s “not the way to do business,” that traditional cinema will eventually return, and that Warner Bros. action could be actually hurting the film industry.

Long-term, I think all of the studios know that the movie theater experience will bounce back and be a very important part of the ecosystem long-term. What you have right now in our business is a lot of the use of the pandemic as an excuse for sort of grappling for short-term advantage. And it’s really unfortunate. It’s not the way to do business and it’s not the best thing for the health of our industry. But when the theaters are back and people are going back to the movies, when the vaccine has been rolled out and there’s an appropriate health response from the federal government, I’m very bullish on the long-term prospects of the industry. People love going to the movies and they’re going to get to go again.

Once again, Nolan is right. Movie theaters will be back at full-operating capacity, sooner or later. But, no one knows when that will be. Warner Bros. find themselves in something of an unenviable position. The decision to simultaneously release their films on HBO Max is certainly boundary pushing. Moreover, it’s clearly what they feel they have to do to stay profitable in the current climate. But they’re running the risk of alienating the very people they work with to make the projects happen.

If they give into the naysayers and walk the choice back, audiences would likely be furious. It would not only tarnish the legacy of the studio, but would likely be something of a nail in the coffin for their burgeoning streaming service.

Regardless of the ill feelings from Nolan and others surrounding Warners release plans, they appear to be sticking to their guns. The first simultaneous launch on HBO Max and in theaters will be Wonder Woman 1984, which recently debuted a new trailer. That project goes wide on Christmas Day and will be the first test of Warner Bros. new strategy.