Last year, Warner Bros. made the game-changing decision to release DC's Wonder Woman 1984 on HBO Max day-and-date with U.S. theaters. However, the Gal Gadot film's availability on the WarnerMedia streaming service is set to expire by the end of this week, nearly a month after its debut.
Originally slated to debut in theaters in late 2019, Warner Bros. ultimately rescheduled the Wonder Woman sequel for a theatrical release in June 2020, nearly three years after the original film premiered. However, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the studio delaying the release of Wonder Woman 1984 on three occasions before settling on a Christmas 2020 date for North American audiences. As the second wave of the pandemic worsened throughout fall and early winter, Warner Bros. opted to retain the December 25 for the film while also making it available on HBO Max in the U.S. and other on-demand services in countries where the WarnerMedia streamer isn't available.
Although Wonder Woman 1984 performed well in its opening weekend in the U.S., the DC sequel has experienced a steady decline in box office revenue in subsequent weeks. However, the results of a Screen Engine poll indicate Wonder Woman 1984 was a success for HBO Max, with a significant percentage of those surveyed noting they either signed on to the streamer or retained their subscription specifically to watch the DC sequel. Of course, Warner Bros. only intended for Wonder Woman 1984 to have a 31-day window on HBO Max and, as such, the film will no longer be available on the streaming service effective Sunday, January 24. While it is possible the Wonder Woman sequel will be permanently added to the HBO Max library at a later date, Warner Bros. has announced no such plans at this time.
Despite mixed reviews, the success of Wonder Woman 1984 prompted Warner Bros. Pictures chairman Toby Emmerich to confirm a third film is already being developed with Gadot returning as the DC heroine. Patty Jenkins will also return to helm the third film, which she has previously noted is likely to be her final time sitting in the director's chair for DCEU's Wonder Woman franchise. However, both Gadot and Jenkins are already planning to reteam for a biographical drama on Egyptian ruler Cleopatra.
While Wonder Woman 1984 has proven to be a success for Warner Bros., audience reactions to the sequel have been considerably more critical compared to the original film. Common criticisms directed towards the film center on the convoluted plot and the implications of bringing back Chris Pine's Steve Trevor by having the deceased character take over the body of an unnamed man.
Nonetheless, Warner Bros. appears to believe the film is a contender for accolades this year. The studio has launched an awards season campaign for Wonder Woman 1984 in all categories for which the film is eligible, including Best Picture.
Wonder Woman 1984 is available on HBO Max until January 24 and in select theaters.
Source: Collider