The simultaneous release of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” on July 21, 2023 has painted a vibrant splash of color on Hollywood’s canvas. This moment of triumph, however, is tinged with uncertainty as the industry braces for a potentially prolonged pause due to ongoing strikes.
“Barbie,” a comedy directed by Greta Gerwig, and “Oppenheimer,” a biopic by Christopher Nolan, have together given birth to the pop culture sensation known as “Barbenheimer.” These two films, starkly contrasting in their themes and styles, have managed to captivate the public’s imagination. “The anticipation is palpable,” says one industry insider. “Moviegoers are returning to theaters, eager to experience these two cinematic marvels in tandem.”
Industry experts are predicting a record-breaking box office weekend. “Barbie” is expected to rake in over $150 million domestically, potentially surpassing the opening gross of this year’s hit, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” is projected to earn more than $50 million. This is particularly impressive for a complex, three-hour drama.
“In a film industry still reeling from the pandemic and grappling with the rise of streaming platforms, this double victory would typically be a cause for celebration,” says Michael Moses, the chief marketing officer for Universal Pictures. However, the jubilation is overshadowed by the ongoing strikes by the Hollywood actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, and the Writers Guild of America.
Moses describes the situation as a paradox. “It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times,” he says. “The escalating tension between the guilds and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has cast a shadow over the ‘Barbenheimer’ hype, creating a mix of joy and unease within Hollywood.”
The success of “Barbenheimer” may be a fleeting high for the industry. “There are no other major blockbusters scheduled for release until ‘Dune: Part Two’ on November 3,” Moses adds. “Even this release could be postponed to next year if the actors’ strike continues, as key cast members would be unable to participate in the film’s global press tour.”
The strikes have already impacted the release plans of several films. The Helen Mirren drama ‘White Bird’ and A24’s Julio Torres comedy ‘Problemista,’ initially slated for an August release, are now in limbo. The tennis romance ‘Challengers,’ starring Zendaya, relinquished its prestigious opening-night slot at the Venice Film Festival, which begins on August 30. The film has been rescheduled for April 2024.
Scott Sanders, a producer of the new movie-musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” expressed concerns about the potential impact of the strikes on the film’s Christmas Day release. “If the other big tentpole holiday movies or awards-bait films start to shift their release dates, frankly, I’m going to be nervous,” Sanders admits.
The success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” could reignite a passion for cinema. However, with the looming industry pause, there may be few titles left to sustain this momentum. “Are we going to keep the momentum going from this weekend?” Sanders says. “Or are we going to suddenly pull the emergency stop in the next month or two and go back to square one again?”
In a worst-case scenario, Sanders speculates, “every studio on the planet decides to move their fourth-quarter movies into next year.” This could leave “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as the last contenders for awards.
As Hollywood navigates this tumultuous period, the industry and its fans are left to wonder: What happens next?
“Barbie,” a comedy directed by Greta Gerwig, and “Oppenheimer,” a biopic by Christopher Nolan, have together given birth to the pop culture sensation known as “Barbenheimer.” These two films, starkly contrasting in their themes and styles, have managed to captivate the public’s imagination. “The anticipation is palpable,” says one industry insider. “Moviegoers are returning to theaters, eager to experience these two cinematic marvels in tandem.”
Industry experts are predicting a record-breaking box office weekend. “Barbie” is expected to rake in over $150 million domestically, potentially surpassing the opening gross of this year’s hit, “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” Meanwhile, “Oppenheimer” is projected to earn more than $50 million. This is particularly impressive for a complex, three-hour drama.
“In a film industry still reeling from the pandemic and grappling with the rise of streaming platforms, this double victory would typically be a cause for celebration,” says Michael Moses, the chief marketing officer for Universal Pictures. However, the jubilation is overshadowed by the ongoing strikes by the Hollywood actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA, and the Writers Guild of America.
Moses describes the situation as a paradox. “It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times,” he says. “The escalating tension between the guilds and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has cast a shadow over the ‘Barbenheimer’ hype, creating a mix of joy and unease within Hollywood.”
The success of “Barbenheimer” may be a fleeting high for the industry. “There are no other major blockbusters scheduled for release until ‘Dune: Part Two’ on November 3,” Moses adds. “Even this release could be postponed to next year if the actors’ strike continues, as key cast members would be unable to participate in the film’s global press tour.”
The strikes have already impacted the release plans of several films. The Helen Mirren drama ‘White Bird’ and A24’s Julio Torres comedy ‘Problemista,’ initially slated for an August release, are now in limbo. The tennis romance ‘Challengers,’ starring Zendaya, relinquished its prestigious opening-night slot at the Venice Film Festival, which begins on August 30. The film has been rescheduled for April 2024.
Scott Sanders, a producer of the new movie-musical adaptation of “The Color Purple,” expressed concerns about the potential impact of the strikes on the film’s Christmas Day release. “If the other big tentpole holiday movies or awards-bait films start to shift their release dates, frankly, I’m going to be nervous,” Sanders admits.
The success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” could reignite a passion for cinema. However, with the looming industry pause, there may be few titles left to sustain this momentum. “Are we going to keep the momentum going from this weekend?” Sanders says. “Or are we going to suddenly pull the emergency stop in the next month or two and go back to square one again?”
In a worst-case scenario, Sanders speculates, “every studio on the planet decides to move their fourth-quarter movies into next year.” This could leave “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” as the last contenders for awards.
As Hollywood navigates this tumultuous period, the industry and its fans are left to wonder: What happens next?
