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Christopher Nolan slams Warner Bros’ movie streaming deal

Dark Knight and Tenet director Christopher Nolan has released a furious public statement as the film industry recovers from a horror 2020.

Claire Spellberg and Decider
2 min read
December 9, 2020 - 12:55PM
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The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan is no fan of streaming services.

This week, Nolan unloaded on WarnerMedia for smashing its theatrical window by sending Warner Bros.’ entire 2021 movie slate directly to US streaming service HBO Max, due to America’s ongoing coronavirus crisis.

The prolific director insisted that HBO Max is “the worst streaming service,” and warned that filmmakers will no longer want to work with Warner in the wake of its industry-shattering decision.

Director Christopher Nolan is furious that films are not being shown in cinemas.
Director Christopher Nolan is furious that films are not being shown in cinemas.

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“Some of our industry’s biggest filmmakers and most important movie stars went to bed the night before thinking they were working for the greatest movie studio and woke up to find out they were working for the worst streaming service,” said Nolan in a statement provided to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Warner Bros. had an incredible machine for getting a filmmaker’s work out everywhere, both in theatres and in the home, and they are dismantling it as we speak,” he continued. “They don’t even understand what they’re losing.

“Their decision makes no economic sense, and even the most casual Wall Street investor can see the difference between disruption and dysfunction.”

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Nolan (left) on the set of Tenet, which was released to cinemas this year in the middle of the pandemic. Picture: Melinda Sue Gordon
Nolan (left) on the set of Tenet, which was released to cinemas this year in the middle of the pandemic. Picture: Melinda Sue Gordon

Nolan also told ET Online that WarnerMedia’s decision to debut films on HBO Max and in cinemas concurrently is “very, very, very, very messy”.

Added the director, “A real bait and switch. Yeah, it’s sort of not how you treat filmmakers and stars and people who, these guys have given a lot for these projects. They deserved to be consulted and spoken to about what was going to happen to their work.”

In the days since Warner Bros.’ December 3 announcement, Hollywood insiders have spoken anonymously with news outlet to voice their disappointment – “Warners has made a grave mistake,” a top talent agent told THR – but Nolan is the first industry heavyweight to publicly condemn the streaming push.

Nolan has become one of cinema’s most acclaimed and bankable directors with hits like The Dark Knight.
Nolan has become one of cinema’s most acclaimed and bankable directors with hits like The Dark Knight.

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The intensity of Nolan’s statement immediately ignited a firestorm on Twitter, where critics, reporters, and casual fans discussed his all-out opposition to HBO Max with glee.

“Nolan is hilariously wrong about HBO Max, which has by far the best movie library of any streamer,” tweeted Rolling Stone TV critic Alan Sepinwall.

“Some folks may be missing Nolan’s point,” added THR’s Kim Masters, author of the original piece with Nolan’s statement. “He is saying this jeopardises the entire economic structure of the movie business.”

Regardless of Nolan’s (or anyone else’s) opposition, it’s unlikely that Warner Bros. will reverse the decision. Plus, with the debut of Mortal Kombat, Warner Bros.’ first 2021 film, just one month away, it seems that the train has already left the station.

This article originally appeared on Decider and was reproduced with permission

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/streaming/christopher-nolan-slams-warner-bros-movie-streaming-deal/news-story/1f7de286de2b99ff684f64fe0d95ccf5