Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

[mwynn]

Originally Posted by eselv73

If it comes down to another delay vs. coming to streaming, I would prefer the HBO Max route (hopefully with a subsequent 3D blu-ray release...) but I obviously didn't finance the movie; I just hope Legendary gets a good deal so this series can continue after GvK.

Does not the license deal for Godzilla expire after this movie?

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Good idea. I'm still excited to see this on the big screen (when it's safe) regardless of watching it earlier at home. Why not sell it to Netflix and release it on HBO Max? Make as much $$ as possible so we can keep the franchise going.

Because the $200m allegedly on the table is for exclusivity. Split it between two outlets each after the same subscribers and the price plummets because the big selling point is lost so you might as well go VOD.

[Captain Flint]

As much as I'm dying to see this movie in theaters, I'm way too impatient and I will sign up for a free HBO Max trial to watch this if it releases on there before the theatrical release. That is if I don't end up using the free trial for Wonder Woman 1984.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by mwynn

Does not the license deal for Godzilla expire after this movie?

Legendary have the option to make more films if they choose within a set timescale whether Toho like it or not, but after GKOTM flopped and with a run of other costly flops they wont be likely to exercise their option if this doesn't show a profit either.

[RalphoR]

Originally Posted by Aclea

Because the $200m allegedly on the table is for exclusivity. Split it between two outlets each after the same subscribers and the price plummets because the big selling point is lost so you might as well go VOD.

Makes sense. Maybe give Netflix exclusivity from now until theatrical release then have it available on the Max to coincide with the theater release.

[Johnzilla2179]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Makes sense. Maybe give Netflix exclusivity from now until theatrical release then have it available on the Max to coincide with the theater release.

Between HBO and Netflix, I'd prefer it be the former. The Godzilla anime trilogy that was licensed to Netflix still isn't on blu-ray in the States as of this writing, and I'm afraid that the same might happen with GvK. Granted, these are different times and different circumstances and there's no guarantee something similar wouldn't happen with HBO, but it makes me nervous, nonetheless. I'll drop some dough to watch it right now, but I'd also like to buy the 4K blu in the next five years.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by RalphoR

Makes sense. Maybe give Netflix exclusivity from now until theatrical release then have it available on the Max to coincide with the theater release.

If Netflix got it, they'd want a two year exclusive window for that money, so no theatrical release outside Asia, no HBO Max and no physical media release for at least a year, if not longer. Otherwise it's not worth it for them.

[rooboy78]

The thing that bothers me the most (and scares me) about all these movies going to streaming services is the fact that my chances of actually owning a physical copy become slim to none. If it does a theatrical and simultaneous HBO MAX run like WW84 then it will get a physical release, but all these movies that are going exclusive to streaming services seem doomed to not get a physical release.

I really loved Happiest Season for example, but now that it’s on Hulu I doubt I’ll ever get to actually own it and that’s super disappointing. I’d be mad if I couldn’t have GvK to add to my collection with the other movies.

[Lee A Stewart]

Universal & Warner Bros. Form Home Entertainment Joint Venture

Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. are entering into a North America ten-year joint venture with regard to their home entertainment arms. Separate from that deal, both studios are committing to license each other’s disc products in certain offshore markets.

The new domestic j.v., which is subject to regulatory approval, will distribute Blu-ray, DVD and 4K UHD for new releases, library titles and television content in U.S. and Canada and combine sales, retail marketing and distribution ops for both majors. Leadership from Universal and Warner Bros. will be involved in this new partnership and be presided over by industry veteran Eddie Cunningham.

The announcement was made today by Peter Levinsohn, President and Chief Distribution Officer, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, and Ron Sanders, President, Worldwide Theatrical Distribution & Home Entertainment and EVP, International Business Operations, Warner Bros.

Universal and Warner Bros. home entertainment j.v. will be up and running by Q1 2021. Under the proposed structure, the studios will continue to operate their digital distribution businesses independently and retain content and consumer marketing for both physical and digital.

https://deadline.com/2020/01/univers...re-1202831261/

[xbs2034]

If I was Legendary, I would want that Netflix offer, and understand why there must be a compelling counterbid to a accept HBO Max’s offer. $200 million should cover the costs of a movie they invested 75% of the budget in, and which seems like a film they were worried about flopping even before the pandemic.

And it would be a good fit, Netflix already has the Godzilla animated movies, they would probably play it in some theaters in all major markets in addition to streaming (HBO Max seems to be doing mostly streaming only except for Wonder Woman), and also let’s the film have a theatrical release in China, where it could actually make some money.

[Aclea]

It would be an easy $50m for Warners as well versus investing another $150m+, which makes me wonder if talk of an HBO Max bid is purely to drive Netflix's offer up.

[Lee A Stewart]

I strongly doubt WB would sell this movie to Netflix, or any other SVOD. #1 goal at WarnerMedia: grow HBO Max. Release it the same way they are releasing WW1984.

[Underworld54]

Remember I said WB must no have confidence in this movie? Well looking to unload one of your biggest tent pole films to Netflix and other streaming services kinda points to it.

[Star Lord]

It wouldn't have lit the box office on fire whenever it released, but never thought they would sell it to Netflix or other streaming services.

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Remember I said WB must no have confidence in this movie? Well looking to unload one of your biggest tent pole films to Netflix and other streaming services kinda points to it.

By that rationale, WB had no confidence in WW84, which is patently false. Of course, this is the same rationale that doesn't understand inflation.

[Underworld54]

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

By that rationale, WB had no confidence in WW84, which is patently false. Of course, this is the same rationale that doesn't understand inflation.

Wonder Woman is getting a theatrical release, yes?

[CreasyBear]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Wonder Woman is getting a theatrical release, yes?

Yes, on the same day as an HBO Max release. The theatrical release is a formality at this point, considering most theaters are either closed or will possibly be closed by Christmas. Yes, it's getting an international rollout where theaters are opened, but it's a compromised release. WB is focused on getting HBO Max subscribers, not promoting the theatrical release because there's little money to be made from it in this day and age.

[postmodel]

I’m sure this will be similar to WW84: simultaneous theatrical and streaming release. Given that it’s WB I would’ve assumed HBOMax was a given, but a Netflix deal would probably up the numbers even more.

All I know is I can’t wait to see this film and I’d much rather watch it from the comfort and cleanliness of my own home. It hurts my heart to say that but I don’t trust people to stay home if sick.

[Aclea]

Originally Posted by Underworld54

Remember I said WB must no have confidence in this movie? Well looking to unload one of your biggest tent pole films to Netflix and other streaming services kinda points to it.

It's not one of Warners' biggest tentpoles - it's not even a Warners' film: it's Legendary's last existing tentpole standing (Dune being an attempt to start a new one), and they're the ones who put up 75% of the budget and haven't got any money coming in from new product this year. Warners couldn't unload this if they wanted to because their 25% comes with an obligation to theatrically release and market the film. They'd have to stump up not only the 75% Legendary put up but enough of a profit for Legendary to consider it worthwhile. It's ultimately Legendary's call whether they want to cut their losses or take a risk that it'll perform more like Skull island that GKOTM.

By contrast, releasing it theatrically is low risk for Warners: they don't have much money in the picture and marketing and distribution costs (which are inifinitesimal so far) are taken from the first dollar grossed, which is why their losses on GKOTM were negligible compared to Legendary's. And if it is a hit, they'd make more money than Legendary for a lower investment - on G2015 they made $52.9m compared to Legendary's $39.35m (https://deadline.com/2015/03/godzill...14-1201389604/).

If Warners is willing to pay over $150m more than they've already spent for the film on HBO Max and quadruple down on their invesrtment when they could easily just let the current deal ride implies they have a lot of confidence in the film pulling in new subscribers - but I still think it's a fake bid on HBO's side to drive up Netflix's price because if it does sell to Netflix for $200m, all they'll do is recoup their investment and they might as well have left their 25% of the budget in the bank and collected the interest.

[starsteam]

I would subscribe to HBO Max if they added GvK. I would still try to catch it in a theater too but screening options are minimal for me.

The most important thing to me though is a home video release. And with Warner's Mowgli quietly dying in Netflix jail I do not want Netflix to get this film.