AMC Theatres Starts ‘Urgent’ Talks With Warner Bros. to Renegotiate Terms After HBO Max Deal

Over the past couple of weeks, since the announcement that WarnerMedia is releasing all of the 2021 WB films on HBO Max the same day as in theaters, it appears that almost every filmmaker that has publicly spoken about the move has disagreed with the idea of collapsing the theatrical window. And those that understand the decision are still upset that WarnerMedia didn’t warn filmmakers before the announcement.

Though the recent deal between Warner Bros. and HBO Max that sends the studio’s entire 2021 film lineup to the streaming service day-and-date with theaters doesn’t officially begin until January with “The Little Things,” many see “Wonder Woman 1984” as the test case for the new paradigm.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorThe news this week that HBO Max — finally — was coming to Roku devices was welcomed by millions of customers eager to stream the WarnerMedia service on their TVs and catch “Wonder Woman 1984” when it premieres on Christmas Day.But there’s a wrinkle for some Roku users who want to get HBO Max.Under its agreement with WarnerMedia, Roku is no longer selling the legacy standalone HBO channel through its Roku Channel store.

The deal ended a seven-month standoff between Roku and WarnerMedia, HBO Max’s parent company, insuring the streaming service would be available to Roku’s 46 million active accounts by Christmas Day, when “Wonder Woman 1984” is set to debut on the service.Roku opened at $346 per share on Thursday, easily topping its previous all-time high of $336.17, set earlier this month.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorWonder Woman and HBO Max are giving Roku a power-up on Wall Street.On Thursday, shares of Roku were up over 7% in early trading coming the day after the company announced a pact with AT&T’s WarnerMedia to add HBO Max to its streaming devices following months of haggling.Roku’s stock was up over $350 per share into new all-time highs.

Eli Countryman Warner Bros. drew attention in early December when it announced plans to simultaneously release all of its films in theaters and on HBO Max throughout 2021.The decision, affecting 17 major films from “The Matrix 4″ to “Dune,” highlights just how important streaming services have become in the past year.

AMC Theatres was already hurting before WarnerMedia made its announcement that it was sending WB’s entire 2021 film slate to HBO Max on the same day as theaters. And now, after that decision? Let’s just say AMC is none too pleased with the idea that one of the biggest studios in the world is threatening the future of the theatrical experience.

Kate Aurthur editorDuring a wide-ranging conversation among screenwriters for Variety’s upcoming Virtual FYC Fest, Judd Apatow called the recent decision by Warner Bros.

Dune so that it will open in theatres and become available on HBO Max on the same day.Last week, Warner Bros announced that it will provide the simultaneous release for all of its 2021 movies, in response to the coronavirus pandemic’s severe impact on the stability of the traditional theatre-first release model.In a searing new essay for Variety, the Dune director said there was “absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience” in Warner Bros’ decision.“It is all about the survival of a

Denis Villeneuve, the director of the upcoming Dune remake, is not happy that Warner Bros. plans on releasing his movie on HBO Max on the same day as the theatrical release.

industry-shaking move to put its 2021 slate on HBO Max day-and-date with theaters.Villeneuve, in an op-ed written for Variety, said he only learned about the fate of his film by reading the news, and that he had agreed to push “Dune” back almost a year, from winter 2020 to October 2021. He says a movie of this scope can’t hope to be financially viable and will succumb to piracy.“With this decision, AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film history.

Denis Villeneuve I learned in the news that Warner Bros. has decided to release “Dune” on HBO Max at the same time as our theatrical release, using prominent images from our movie to promote their streaming service.

Dave McNary Film ReporterThe Directors Guild of America has criticized Warner Bros. over the studio’s decision to release its entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter.DGA National Executive Director Russell Hollander sent a letter to Warner Bros.

The fallout of the controversial move by WarnerMedia to push all of its 2021 WB films to HBO Max and in theaters on the same day is still being felt in Hollywood as the big picture of what this deal means continues to become more clear. Basically, it’s been a really rough week for WarnerMedia, as stars, filmmakers, and guilds have been just a few of the entities upset with this unprecedented move.

Ellise Shafer editorThe Independent Cinema Alliance has expressed disappointment over Warner Bros.’ decision to release the rest of its 2021 film state simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.In a statement released Monday, the volunteer alliance called for a return to theatrical exclusivity, writing that releasing movies solely in theaters for a period of time is “what drives that value – not streaming.” ICA pointed out that with the COVID-19 vaccine set to be distributed soon, a

As you’ve heard by now, Warner Bros.’ game-changing seismic decision to put all their 2021 films out on HBO Max simultaneously with whatever theaters are open next year, not only shocked and angered people in Hollywood, it actually blindsided many actors, directors, and talents too. We’ve already heard that Legendary Pictures were so appalled with the decision they’re threatening to sue Warner Bros.

Dave McNary Film ReporterChristopher Nolan, who has supplied Warner Bros. with multiple blockbusters, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the studio’s decision to release its entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service“There’s such controversy around it, because they didn’t tell anyone,” said Nolan in an ET Online interview released Monday.

Christopher Nolan is not happy at all about Warner Bros.’ plans to put all of their 2021 movies on HBO Max on the same day they are released in theaters.

etonline. “In 2021, they’ve got some of the top filmmakers in the world, they’ve got some of the biggest stars in the world who worked for years in some cases on these projects very close to their hearts that are meant to be big-screen experiences.”“What you have right now in our business is a lot of the use of the pandemic as an excuse for sort of grappling for short-term advantage.