Tenet' Gets Its Own Place -- Overheard

By Dan Gallagher 

If Warner Bros. wants to look on the bright side, at least it has the cineplex to itself.

The Hollywood studio now owned by AT&T has been aiming its psychological thriller "Tenet" to be one of the first big movies to help reopen theaters. There have been plenty of plot twists. As the pandemic has forced states and cities to slow or even reverse their reopening plans, Tenet is now on its third release date. Cinemark Holdings said on its second-quarter call Tuesday that the movie is expected to open on Sept. 3, by which time the theater chain hopes to have at least 80% of its screens open.

At least it won't have to share them. Walt Disney said on its results call Tuesday that it will release the live-action version of "Mulan" on its Disney+ streaming service, where it will be available for a $30 price. "Mulan" also had been expected to be one of the first movies to help reopen theaters; its last official release date was Aug. 21. The shift gives theater owners even less content to help draw back early patrons. Cinemark boss Mark Zoradi listed six other major releases expected this year. But only one of those -- "Wonder Woman 1984" -- is due to come out before November. Even if "Tenet" is a hit, it might not inspire that many repeat viewings.

Write to Dan Gallagher at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 05, 2020 11:44 ET (15:44 GMT)

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