Wonder Woman 1984 Shows In Theaters Even Though The COVID-19 Pandemic Is Still Stinging, Will It Work?

JAKARTA - The 1984 film Wonder Woman is currently playing in theaters in the country. This latest film from the DC universe is one of the tentpole films owned by the Warner Bros. production house.

Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, Warner Bros. devised a new strategy regarding the release of films, namely gradual screening. Fans of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, England and Indonesia are the lucky countries to have the opportunity to watch Wonder Woman 1984 since last 16 December.

The screening of this film then followed to China, South Africa, Japan, Nigeria, Spain and Vietnam on 18 December. Then proceed to other countries until January 28, 2021 in Italy.

The consideration of choosing a different location and broadcast date is seen from the opening of cinemas in each country. Not without reason, considering that some cinemas in the United States and Europe were closed again due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

In addition, this strategy was carried out by production houses to prevent piracy that was increasing amid the pandemic. With so many activities at home, as a result people depend more on streaming services.

Warner Bros. has high hopes for international broadcast. One of them is from China which is the second largest film market in the world. However, launching Deadline, Wonder Woman 1984 only made 38.5 million US dollars in the first week. Figures that differ from the projected 60 million US dollars.

Wonder Woman 1984 is not the only candidate to hit Chinese theaters, as there are also local releases such as Bath Buddy, The End of Endless Love, and Caught in Time. Yes, the development of cinema films in China is increasing even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing.

The Chinese production house implemented a number of strategies to keep local films watched in theaters. For example, they do a virtual premiere where the cast greets the audience before the film starts. Likewise promotion via social media and distribution of gifts to lucky fans.

On the other hand, several countries have chosen to close cinemas again after the increase in COVID-19 cases. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed a lockdown and asked the public to stay at home. This also happened in Mexico even though this country had received a schedule for Wonder Woman 1984.

As previously announced, Warner Bros. will release Wonder Woman 1984 via HBO Max in the United States on December 25, as well as screenings in the country's theaters. This film can be watched on HBO Max at no additional cost to subscribers.

This choice is made for people who have not been able to return to the cinema due to the pandemic situation. It is for this reason that production houses have been delaying the release of the films No Time to Die, Black Widow, and Fast & Furious 9 to 2021.

Jason Kilar, CEO of WarnerMedia, stated his commitment to continue showing films theatrically. But now, the production house is looking for ways to keep making a profit, even if it has to sell broadcast rights to streaming services.

“We believe in cinema because millions of fans around the world enjoy going to the movies. And as long as fans are looking for a theatrical experience, we will be here to serve them with a good film with the publisher, "Kilar quoted Variety as saying.

Not a few cinema chains are grateful for Warner Bros. still showing Christopher Nolan's Tenet in theaters. However, the consideration of a production house that will continue to broadcast it on streaming services has resulted in criticism from Nolan.

Nolan thinks a film is made to be shown in theaters but the production house is showing it on a streaming service without consulting the director or anyone involved in filming.

"This is not how you treat film actors and actors and people ... These people put a lot of things into this project. They deserve to be involved in discussions and talk about their work, "Nolan said, quoting ET Online.

"In 2021, they got a lot of top directors in the world, they got a lot of big stars working on this project and it deserves to be shown in theaters," said Nolan, further.

In the end, the release of Wonder Woman 1984 did not count towards its success considering the ongoing pandemic situation. Therefore, people who cannot access HBO Max can go to the cinema as long as the film is still being shown theatrically.

Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 1984 tells the story of Diana Prince or Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) who experiences conflict with the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Diana Prince works as an anthropologist at an institute in Washington DC.

One day, he meets Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) who has a magic stone that can grant a wish. Diana chooses to meet Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), her lover who died, but there are a series of events that threaten Diana's life.