In a row big movie releases for 2021

Hollywood has a traffic jam. If life remained analogous, celluloid towers and towers would pile up in their warehouses waiting for the time to reach cinemas. Now the reality is digital, but the problem is the same: The pandemic has forced the postponement of the vast majority of blockbusters by 2020, which will have to find their place in a 2021 long awaited by moviegoers.

The latest James Bond adventure postponed since last spring, the fourth installment of “Matrix”, The debut of Lebron James in the sequel to “Space Jam”, The updated version of “Dune” and the return of Wes Anderson are just some of the premieres planned for the new year, a season born under great uncertainty and in which no one knows when it will be safe to re-crowd the cinemas.

We will see the new one “West Side Story” in the cinema or in our homes? The revision of the musical myth could have assured its projection on the big screen because it will not be released until Christmas but the path is not as clear for “James Bond: No Time To Die” (April), “Black Widow” (May), “Fast and Furious 9” (May) or “Jurassic World: Dominion” (June). To shed some light on this maze, Warner Bros. has been the fastest studio to move tab, as throughout 2021 and until the coronavirus gives respite all of its films will be released simultaneously in theaters and in “streaming”. A virtually deadly blow to theaters with which he has assured that he will release his films.

“STREAMING”, ALLY OF THE STUDIES AND ENEMY OF THE CINEMAS

So far no study, except Netflix, Had dared to premiere at the same time a blockbuster in cinemas and the Internet. The famous “distribution window” in which the tapes waited three months before reaching the domestic market was scrupulously respected. But on Christmas Day everything changed: Disney and Pixar released directly for the Disney + platform “Soul”, one of the animated films of the year, and Warner Bros. brought “Wonder Woman 1984” to HBO Max. The strategy of the former was timely, the latter was the inauguration of the method by which HBO Max will host all the films in the studio in 2021: “Godzilla vs. Kong”, “In the Heights”, “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” “The Suicide Squad,” “Dune” and “Matrix 4,” among others. The same day they arrive in cinemas (in the few open), they will be available on the “streaming” service for 30 days. The funny thing is that, already started in 2021, HBO Max is still an exclusive US product that is scheduled to open in Europe and Latin America throughout the year, but a huge promotion has already been guaranteed to steal some market on Netflix.

On the other side of the coin is Disney. The entertainment giant has been less drastic and continues to bet heavily on cinemas. So far he has only released “Mulan” and “Soul” through Disney +, and the first in exchange for a not inconsiderable $ 30 as an extra charge. His next film, “Stripe and the Last Dragon”, Will follow the model of “Mulan” in March and from there … it will be seen. For now Marvel fans will see Black Widow (May) and “The Eternals” (November) in the cinema, according to the company’s plans. Also Pixar’s visit to the Italian Riviera with “Luca” (June) and the trip to Colombia from “Charm” (November) they keep their exclusive premiere on the big screen. Same as the “Jungle Cruise” (July) by Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.

A YEAR OF “REMAKES” AND HISTORICAL SAGES

Platforms yes, platforms no, Hollywood’s obsession to give new life to its classics will remain intact. In 2021 a new version of “West Side Story” will arrive under the direction of Steven Spielberg and will not be the only gem of the seventh art to be renewed. After “Blade Runner 2049”, Denis Villeneuve will return to the classics of science fiction with a new “Dune” starring the flower and cream of today’s Hollywood, Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling.

even Tom Cruise will return to “Top Gun” more than 30 years after its release with a sequel to the quintessential eighties film. And outside of “remakes” there will still be room for sequels of sagas like “Ghostbusters”, “Jurassic World”, “Fast and Furious”, “Matrix”, “Minions”, “James Bond” and “Tomb Raider”.

Beyond the commercial circuit, in February it will be Frances McDormand’s turn with “Nomadland”, A film that has been praised by critics who have already seen it and sounds like a favorite for the Oscars.

“The Kings Man” will arrive in March while there is still no date to re-enter the picturesque universes of Wes Anderson with “The French Dispatch” (with Timothée Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton and Benicio De el Toro) , Although it will probably be before Baz Luhrmann’s “biopic” about Elvis Presley snatches the spotlight in the fall. The when seems clear, the how not yet.

EFE / Javier Romualdo