Dune director Denis Villeneuve has slammed Warner Bros. a week after their bombshell announcement that all of its 2021 movies will debut in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously
The 53-year-old French Canadian filmmaker wrote an op-ed for Variety in which he vented his frustrations over the major studio’s move.
He wrote: ‘Warner Bros.’ sudden reversal from being a legacy home for filmmakers to the new era of complete disregard draws a clear line for me.
‘Filmmaking is a collaboration, reliant on the mutual trust of team work and Warner Bros. has declared they are no longer on the same team.’
‘They are no longer on the same team’: Denis Villeneuve wrote an op-ed for Variety in which he vented his frustrations over Warner Bros.’s bombshell announcement that all of its 2021 movies will debut in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously
Villeneueve was also not pleased to have found out about the pivot just as everyone else did.
He explained: ‘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.
‘With this decision AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film history. There is absolutely no love for cinema, nor for the audience here’
‘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’: Villeneueve was also not pleased to have found out about the pivot just as everyone else did
This comes just days after it was reported that the studio may be facing a possible legal challenge from one of its collaborators.
Legendary Entertainment, which produced the upcoming movies Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong through their distribution deal with Warner Bros., is considering suing the studio, according to a report from Variety.
Sources claim that Legendary executives have been engaged in discussions with Warner Bros. seeking a better deal, though a lawsuit could come as early as this week if talks fail.
Possible lawsuit: Legendary Entertainment, which produced the upcoming movies Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong through their distribution deal with Warner Bros., is considering suing the studio, according to a report from Variety
Discussions: Sources claim that Legendary executives have been engaged in discussions with Warner Bros. seeking a better deal, though a lawsuit could come as early as this week if talks fail
Through Legendary’s co-financing deal with Warner Bros., Legendary put up most of the financing for its movies, reportedly 75%, with Warner Bros. putting up 25%.
However, Warner Bros. also controls distribution of the projects, which is how the studio blocked the sale of Godzilla vs. Kong to Netflix last month, reportedly for $250 million.
Godzilla vs. Kong was reportedly produced under a $160 million budget, with Dune costing a whopping $200 million.
No sale: However, Warner Bros. also controls distribution of the projects, which is how the studio blocked the sale of Godzilla vs. Kong to Netflix last month, reportedly for $250 million
Legendary was reportedly, ‘kept out of the loop’ when it came to Warner Bros.’ plans to release its 17 films slated for release in 2021 on both HBO Max and in theaters.
Sources claim Legendary is trying to negotiate, ‘a more generous deal’ with Warner Bros., but legal action is not out of the question if talks fail.
It’s possible that Legendary could sue on the grounds of breach of contract, though nothing has been filed at this time.
Generous deal: Sources claim Legendary is trying to negotiate, ‘a more generous deal’ with Warner Bros., but legal action is not out of the question if talks fail
One possible solution would be for Warner Bros. to buy Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong outright from Legendary, though it’s unclear if the studio is considering that option.
Dune director Denis Villeneuve is reportedly just as upset with the news as Legendary execs, since he preferred a traditional theatrical release for his movie.
Dune was initially slated to be the first part of a two-part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic 1965 novel.
Dune: Dune director Denis Villeneuve is reportedly just as upset with the news as Legendary execs, since he preferred a traditional theatrical release for his movie
The project was initially given the green light to launch both movies on the big screen, though there is no word if the sequel will move forward if it will roll out in theaters and on HBO Max like the first movie.
Godzilla vs. Kong, which stars Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Eiza Gonzalez and Jessica Henwick, is slated for release on May 19, 2021.
Dune, which stars Timothee Chalamet, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgard, is set to debut on October 8, 2021.
Release date: Godzilla vs. Kong, which stars Millie Bobby Brown, Kyle Chandler, Eiza Gonzalez and Jessica Henwick, is slated for release on May 19, 2021
Dune cast: Dune, which stars Timothee Chalamet, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgard, is set to debut on October 8, 2021