Patty Jenkins was heartbroken by WW194’s HBO Max release

Again in December of 2020, Wonder Woman 1984 turned the primary of Warner Bros.’ movie slate to experiment with a simultaneous streaming and theatrical launch. The DC Comics sequel had been delayed a number of occasions because of the COVID-19 pandemic and it appeared that the powers that be believed that it couldn’t be delayed anymore and this was the final and solely choice to get the movie out to the general public. Whereas it appeared that director Patty Jenkins was all for releasing Marvel Girl 1984, she’s revealing that the choice to go day-and-date with the sequel was the perfect resolution out of a sequence of very poor choices.

Throughout a luncheon at CinemaCon, per “Deadline“, Jenkins spoke about how the choice to launch Marvel Girl 1984 on streaming left her heartbroken. She went on to say that the choice to comply with this launch mannequin was the perfect of many dangerous conditions nevertheless it was finally detrimental to the movie. Right here is Jenkins’ full assertion on the matter:

“It was the only option in a bunch of dangerous selections in the mean time…[it was a] heartbreaking expertise. It was detrimental to the film…I don’t suppose it performs the identical on streaming, ever. I’m not a fan of day-and-date and I hope to keep away from it ceaselessly.”

Marvel Girl 1984 went day-and-date with its launch when many theaters had been nonetheless shut down throughout the U.S. Throughout its opening weekend, the movie grossed $16.7 million which was the biggest opening for any movie throughout the pandemic at the moment. Warner Bros. touted that the film’s performance on HBO Max was superb however, like most streaming providers, onerous numbers weren’t launched to again up these claims. The selection to finally launch the movie throughout the pandemic in addition to on HBO Max positively affected the movie’s field workplace totals because the sequel solely managed to gross $46 million domestically and $166 million worldwide.

Jenkins, very like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve, has been very outspoken concerning the significance of the theatrical expertise and distribution. It was determined that Marvel Girl 1984 couldn’t be held any longer so Jenkins, and star Gal Gadot supported the choice to launch the movie this manner even when they didn’t really feel too nice about it. To maintain Jenkins and Gadot joyful, Warner Bros. paid them bonuses earlier than the movie went to streaming to make sure they’d come again for a 3rd movie and to compensate them for not getting their regular minimize of the movie’s field workplace.

We’ll by no means actually know the way Marvel Girl 1984 would’ve carried out throughout a more healthy field workplace local weather. Crucial reviews weren’t too form to the movie in comparison with the primary film and fan response was additionally polarizing. That being mentioned, it’s secure to say that it could’ve carried out significantly better than a $46 million end within the U.S. and it’s changing into an increasing number of clear that this simultaneous launch technique does affect a movie’s field workplace potential. Marvel Girl 1984 was simply the primary guinea pig to check and show this idea.

What are YOUR ideas on what Patty Jenkins needed to say about Marvel Girl 1984’s launch?