Warner Bros. stunned the entertainment industry when the studio announced plans to release 17 of its 2021 films in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously in the United States. Now, Cineworld Group has issued a response in which the theater chain expresses its hope that Warner Bros. will reach a new agreement regarding proper release windows once theaters resume operations.

Under the terms of Warner Bros. release strategy for 2021, 17 films will debut on HBO Max day-and-date with movie theaters for one month before being removed from the WarnerMedia streamer. At that point, the films in question will be available exclusively in theaters in the U.S. and internationally with customary distribution windows applying to any given title.

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News of the decision wasn't entirely unexpected considering theaters around the world remain closed as the second wave of the pandemic worsens and it remains likely that most will operate with capacity limitations for at least a portion of 2021. Of course, news of viable COVID-19 vaccines being on the verge of approval has renewed moviegoers' hopes of theaters re-opening sooner than expected, a sentiment reflected in Cineworld Group's official response to Warner Bros.' release strategy for the new year. "Cineworld was aware of WB’s plan to release Wonder Woman directly to its streaming service, which has been announced at a time when our cinemas remain closed in the US (Regal) and UK (Cineworld)," reads a statement from the company. "We are very encouraged by the giant steps achieved recently with regards to the COVID-19 vaccination process, which is expected to be put in place earlier than previously anticipated. This will generate significant relief for our industry and enable our cinemas to make a great comeback. We believe that at such a time WB will look to reach an agreement about the proper window and terms that will work for both sides. Big movies are made for the big screen and we cannot wait to reopen our cinemas in Q1 in order to offer our customers, as always, the best place to watch a movie." According to Deadline, such discussions between Cineworld and Warner Bros. have not taken place at this time.

As of early December, Cineworld's U.K. theaters remain closed with no plans to re-open in time for the December 16 release of Warner Bros.' Wonder Woman 1984. "[Given the] current flow of product, it will not make sense to open our cinemas," said Cineworld CEO Mooky Greidinger to Deadline. However, Greidinger noted that he believes Cineworld's Regal Cinemas in the U.S. will re-open in the first quarter of 2021, adding, "we need to see a change in the COVID situation and a clear lineup of movies."

Those who live in countries where HBO Max is not yet available or theaters remain closed were given a glimmer of hope with news of Wonder Woman 1984 potentially receiving an early streaming release in the U.K. Warner Bros. is reportedly negotiating with Sky to bring the long-awaited DC sequel to the region on VOD as early as a month after its theatrical debut.

American fans hoping to take advantage of HBO Max's 7-day free trial ahead of Wonder Woman 1984's debut on the streamer are out of luck. The streamer has now ended the trial offer in favor of offering a 22% discount to new and returning customers who purchase the $69.99 six-month subscription.

Wonder Woman 1984 will be released in theaters on and on HBO Max in the U.S. on December 25, 2020.

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Source: Deadline