Although there is a huge contrast between “Oppenheimer”- a movie about the inventor of the nuclear bomb – and the comedy “Barbie” based on the titular doll, both movies were released and even cross-marketed at the same time. The dual release brought many excited fans to the theaters, and both movies made millions.
Despite all this good news, the timing of the release date wasn’t perfect for the films’ producers. The movies opened during the Hollywood actors’ strike, which halted almost all production in the filmmaking industry. Reluctant to support studios during the strike, some people refuse to buy tickets to see new movies, which include “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” On Friday, the strike reached its one-week mark after 160,000 members of the Screen Actors’ Guild joined members of the Writers Guild of America. Due to the rising popularity of streaming, the pay of actors, largely supported by movie and television appearances, plummeted. As a result, many actors lack the money to support themselves.
The strikes are expected to last for months, which will likely cause huge delays in film release dates. Even worse for theaters and film directors, it is becoming difficult to build audience anticipation. Actors have been ordered to not promote films as part of the strike, which is a hit to the movies’ advertising.
Many films have already changed their release plans due to the strikes. The drama movie “White Bird” and the comedy “Problemista” were supposed to launch in August, but had release dates revoked and are now lacking an official release date. Movies are even losing out on prestigious slots for their opening. The tennis romance “Challengers” was supposed to be the opening-night title at the Venice Film Festival. However, it has been pushed to September.
The success of Barbie and Oppenheimer provides a glimmer of light for producers in the dark void of film delays. The Venice Film Festival, along with similar events, has the chance to build off the momentum of the two films. Still, the film festival is concerned about the problem of lacking other prestigious titles to display. “Worst-case scenario, every studio on the planet decides to move their fourth-quarter movies into next year,” Scott Sanders, a producer for a new movie-musical adaption of “The Color Purple,” says. “Suddenly, the last contenders for awards are ‘Barbie’ and ‘Opennheimer.’ Then what happens?”
If many movies are postponed or canceled at the same, a chain reaction could occur. Theaters that barely survived the effects of the pandemic will be in danger again. Films that would normally release in 2024 might have to reschedule with the huge influx of delayed movies, which would affect other films. In the worst-case scenario for producers, the entire industry goes back to square one.
Despite all this good news, the timing of the release date wasn’t perfect for the films’ producers. The movies opened during the Hollywood actors’ strike, which halted almost all production in the filmmaking industry. Reluctant to support studios during the strike, some people refuse to buy tickets to see new movies, which include “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” On Friday, the strike reached its one-week mark after 160,000 members of the Screen Actors’ Guild joined members of the Writers Guild of America. Due to the rising popularity of streaming, the pay of actors, largely supported by movie and television appearances, plummeted. As a result, many actors lack the money to support themselves.
The strikes are expected to last for months, which will likely cause huge delays in film release dates. Even worse for theaters and film directors, it is becoming difficult to build audience anticipation. Actors have been ordered to not promote films as part of the strike, which is a hit to the movies’ advertising.
Many films have already changed their release plans due to the strikes. The drama movie “White Bird” and the comedy “Problemista” were supposed to launch in August, but had release dates revoked and are now lacking an official release date. Movies are even losing out on prestigious slots for their opening. The tennis romance “Challengers” was supposed to be the opening-night title at the Venice Film Festival. However, it has been pushed to September.
The success of Barbie and Oppenheimer provides a glimmer of light for producers in the dark void of film delays. The Venice Film Festival, along with similar events, has the chance to build off the momentum of the two films. Still, the film festival is concerned about the problem of lacking other prestigious titles to display. “Worst-case scenario, every studio on the planet decides to move their fourth-quarter movies into next year,” Scott Sanders, a producer for a new movie-musical adaption of “The Color Purple,” says. “Suddenly, the last contenders for awards are ‘Barbie’ and ‘Opennheimer.’ Then what happens?”
If many movies are postponed or canceled at the same, a chain reaction could occur. Theaters that barely survived the effects of the pandemic will be in danger again. Films that would normally release in 2024 might have to reschedule with the huge influx of delayed movies, which would affect other films. In the worst-case scenario for producers, the entire industry goes back to square one.
