A little over a year since its originally-planned release last December, it appears that Warner Bros. Pictures is done kicking the can down the road further and has resigned to a releasing the long-awaited Wonder Woman 1984 simultaneously in 3D/2D/IMAX theaters and via HBO Max.
The announcement was made Wednesday with a trailer relaunch, dating the film’s release accordingly in time for Christmas on December 25 in the U.S., with HBO Max releasing the film at no additional cost to subscribers. International markets will get to debut the film a week in advance from December 16.
The move definitely cements things a little further as the country continues to struggle with the on-going pandemic and its crippling effect on select businesses, particularly the traditional theatrical model, as some exhibitors continue to face foreclosures and bankruptcy, while some consumers in select areas turn toward drive-in screenings as a more feasible model for moviegoing with a means of social distancing.
“As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which includes Warner Bros. Pictures, in an annoucement on Wednesday. “This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the U.S. where theaters are open. We realize that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform.”
“We appreciate how patient audiences have been and given the great anticipation around Wonder Woman 1984 we are grateful to be able to make this terrifically entertaining movie widely available in these challenging times,” said Toby Emmerich, Chairman, Warner Bros. Pictures Group.
Patty Jenkins directs following the blockbuster success of the 2017 installment, with Gal Gadot reprising the title role as she will once more in Zack Snyder’s forthcoming extended version of Justice League for the streamer. The mix of new and returning characters include Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah, Pedro Pascal as Max Lord, Robin Wright as Antiope, and Connie Nielsen as Hippolyta.
Fast forward to the 1980s as Wonder Woman’s next big screen adventure finds her facing two all-new foes: Max Lord and The Cheetah.
Jenkins also storied and penned the film with Geoff Johns and co-writer David Callaham, and will likely return to direct the third film depending on the outcome of the pandemic.