Chris Nolan Receiving Backlash For Response To WB's 2021 Streaming Plan
Christopher Nolan is receiving backlash for his response to Warner Bros.'s decision to release all of their 2021 films on HBO Max and in theaters on the same day. Nolan's response is unsurprising, considering the director is known for his dedication to the theatrical release model. That dedication resulted in him insisting that the studio release Tenet in September. While not a total failure, the film still faced middling box office gross and an unenthusiastic response.
Nolan has directed some of the studio's biggest films over the last decade and a half. In addition to this year's Tenet, the studio has also backed the director's Dark Knight trilogy and several other major blockbusters. Nolan is considered one of the only directors that can still make huge, original blockbusters that garner tremendous audience interest. Films like Inception, Interstellar, and Tenet prove that.
According to The Wrap, the backlash is swelling against Nolan and his response to Warner Bros.' decision. The director came out swinging against the studio and the streamer, but it seems as if his statement isn't sitting right with most people outside the industry. Much of the backlash against Nolan cites the pandemic as something his view on the matter ignores. The director has continued to advocate for the theatrical experience throughout the pandemic.
Nolan's complaints echo others in the industry, including The Suicide Squad director James Gunn's, but they don't seem to reflect moviegoers' views as a whole. The decision will ultimately hurt directors and talents' bottom line, but it's difficult to feel bad for them when they're already making millions of dollars. Gal Gadot, star of Wonder Woman 1984, negotiated a $10 million payout because of the decision, while consumers are left in a precarious position because of the pandemic.
The whole situation shows that Warner Bros. was in a lose-lose situation. They could hold out hope that their movies would still hit theaters, likely to a smaller box office take, or they could face the decision to delay them again, igniting the ire of fans. In choosing to release the movies on streaming, not only did they side with fans who are desperate to see their films, but they sided with safety and caution. While no one wants to see the theater-going industry die, it could be a year before theaters are safe again, even with a vaccine. Keeping moviegoers safe should be a top priority, and inviting them to venture out to go to theaters in the middle of a pandemic that still rages on is irresponsible. The backlash against Nolan shows that many fans feel the same way.
Source: The Wrap