Bill & Ted 3 Writer Supports Watching The Movie On-Demand
Ed Solomon, co-writer on Bill and Ted Face the Music, says he's grateful MGM made the movie available on-demand and supports it being seen at home. The movie was initially meant to be released only in theaters worldwide, but due to the coronavirus pandemic its release was change to a limited run in independent theaters, like the Alamo Drafthouse where fans had the chance to see early, free screenings of the movie, along with being released simultaneously on-demand.
Solomon, who also wrote the script for the original Men In Black, co-created the characters of Bill and Ted for the first movie, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, along with fellow writer Chris Matheson. That initial entry in the franchise, released in 1989, was a surprise hit, and spawned the 1991 sequel Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey. The characters have since become entrenched in popular culture as one of the iconic stoner movie duos, despite Reeve's recent assertion that the characters themselves aren't actually stoners. After years in development, the third movie in the franchise, Bill and Ted Face the Music, will finally see the light of day on Friday. The plot this time revolves around the titular duo, played by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves, and their adult daughters, who must create the song that will unite the world in just 78 minutes or the apocalypse will happen.
Now, Solomon has posted on Twitter that not only does he support seeing the movie on-demand, but that he's grateful MGM allowed the movie to be released in theaters and on VOD simultaneously. Solomon was responding to a fan, who couldn't find a theater to watch the movie, by saying that due to the VOD release major chains weren't showing the movie. He added that he's happy fans are able to choose whether to see the movie in independent theaters or at home, saying that it's a perfect family-friendly comedy to watch at home given there's no swearing or violence. You can see his tweet thread below.
Solomon's comments play into the debate over whether it is safe to return to theaters in the middle of a pandemic that is still raging across most of the USA. While big studio blockbusters such as The New Mutants and Tenet are releasing only in theaters, giving fans no choice but to risk contracting the virus if they want to see them, smaller movies, such as Bill and Ted Face The Music are providing alternatives.
It's a pragmatic approach, not only keeping the health and safety of audiences in mind, but also one that should allow smaller films a better chance at being seen by larger audiences. It remains to be seen just how wide an audience will choose to see Bill and Ted Face The Music, given the almost 30-year gap between the last movie and this one. But, the cult status of the first two movies should mean that a fair few middle-aged fans will choose to tune in this weekend and, as Solomon hopes, may well introduce their children to the franchise.
Source: Ed Solomon/Twitter