The much-delayed Warner Bros. superhero sequel “Wonder Woman 1984” will premiere on HBO Max and in theatres simultaneously from Christmas Day in the United States, the studio announced on Wednesday.
The decision to release the eagerly awaited movie on the company’s own recently launched streaming platform represents a gamble for a film that cost a reported $200 million, and comes as Hollywood scrambles to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It wasn’t an easy decision and we never thought we’d have to hold onto the release for such a long time but COVID rocked all of our worlds,” wrote star Gal Gadot on her social media accounts.
She added: “You can watch it IN THEATERS (they’re doing an amazing job keeping it safe) and you can also watch it on HBOMAX from your homes. Sending you my love. Please keep safe and wear a mask.”
The movie, which was originally due to launch in June, will hit theatres in other countries a week earlier starting on December 16.
Before the pandemic, blockbuster movies ran only on the big screen for a theatrical window of 90 days, but with theatres closed in many parts of the US, including New York and Los Angeles, distributors have been forced to innovate.
The move comes after Disney released “Mulan” on Disney+ in September, but unlike that launch “Wonder Woman 1984” will be offered at no extra cost to subscribers of Warner’s rival streaming platform for one month.
“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 WarnerMedia studios and networks chairwoman Ann Sarnoff.
The sequel to 2017’s $800-million-grossing “Wonder Woman” will see Gadot reprise the title role as one of the comic book universe’s biggest female superheroes.
Chris Pine also returns for the sequel, which is set in the 1980s, decades after the World War I-set first movie. Patty Jenkins returns to direct.
The original “Wonder Woman” received the best reviews of any of the inter-connected DC Universe superhero movies from Warner Bros., which also include the latest Superman and Batman films.
We’re thrilled to bring Wonder Woman 1984 to you this Christmas – in theaters and on @hbomax. Here’s our CEO, Jason Kilar, on this unprecedented decision for unprecedented times: https://t.co/HrJF3uUmtM pic.twitter.com/f9U7A7vFjk
— WarnerMedia (@WarnerMedia) November 19, 2020
— Gal Gadot (@GalGadot) November 19, 2020
For the first time ever, #WonderWoman1984 will release in theaters and stream exclusively on @HBOmax* on December 25.
*Available on HBO Max in the US only at no extra cost to subscribers. pic.twitter.com/bU1Lmg5YDA
— Wonder Woman 1984 (@WonderWomanFilm) November 19, 2020
