We’ll have to wait a bit longer for “Wonder Woman 1984.” Amid coronavirus concerns and the resulting theater closures, Warner Bros. has decided to push back Patty Jenkins’ superheroine sequel to August 14. The blockbuster was originally scheduled for a June 5 release. Variety confirmed the news.
“When we greenlit ‘Wonder Woman 1984,’ it was with every intention to be viewed on the big screen and [we] are excited to announce that Warner Bros. Pictures will be bringing the film to theatres on Aug. 14,” Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman, announced. “We hope the world will be in a safer and healthier place by then.”
Many recent theatrical releases — including “Birds of Prey” and “Emma.” — have been launched on VOD much earlier than expected due to COVID-19 and the bans on public gatherings. It seems that Warner Bros.’ vision for “Wonder Woman 1984” is a conventional theatrical release, hence the date change.
“The delays were inevitable as multiplexes across the country remain closed to help halt the spread of the novel virus,” the source observes. “Warner Bros. was always committed to debuting its ‘Wonder Woman’ sequel in cinemas, and the studio felt it was realistic for theaters to be up and running again by August.”
“Warner Bros. was particularly cautious when it came to setting a new release date for ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ because it is expected to be one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. It carries a hefty budget above $180 million, so outsized box office ticket sales are essential for the film to turn a profit,” Variety continued. “Since ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ wasn’t going to hit the big screen for another two months, the studio hadn’t gotten to the bulk of its promotional efforts yet. However, one of the most effective marketing tactics for studios is having trailers play in theaters before other releases. That can’t happen, of course, unless multiplexes are open.”
The sequel to 2017’s megahit “Wonder Woman,” “Wonder Woman 1984” catches up with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) in the ’80s. She’s taking on two new villains, Cheetah (Kristen Wiig) and Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), and reuniting with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine).
Jenkins made history as the highest-paid female filmmaker with her “Wonder Woman 1984” check. She’s spoken about feeling a particular responsibility to fight for fair pay for the project. “You’re of course aware of the money,” she said. “But I’ve never been more aware of a duty than I was in this deal. I was extremely aware that I had to make sure I was being paid what the male equivalent would be.” She added, “Women who have not been in a system that allows them to build up the same level of pay as men are not able to be paid the same as men forever if that’s the way it continues. You have to ask for it to happen, and you have to ask when you’re the appropriate person.”
“Wonder Woman” grossed over $821 million worldwide, and more than $412 million domestically. It is the top-earning film from a solo woman director at the domestic and international box office.
Niki Caro’s “Mulan” and Cate Shortland’s “Black Widow” are among the other blockbusters that have been postponed due to the coronavirus. They were set to open March 27 and May 1, respectively, but no new release dates have been announced.
