Christopher Nolan is responsible for Tenet's release not being delayed. The Oscar-nominated filmmaker's latest sci-fi tentpole is (basically) the lone summer 2020 movie to hold onto its original release date in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. With theaters chains like Cinemark angling to reopen and begin showing new movies by July, their hope is Tenet will serve as the blockbuster that welcomes audiences back to the multiplex. Since there will be restrictions in place to keep moviegoers safe and healthy, the film is projected to have a soft opening, but a lengthy run (due to minimal competition) if it hits its current date.
Of course, Nolan was an ardent supporter of the theatrical experience long before the ongoing health crisis. He even appealed to Congress to aid theaters in the midst of all the shutdowns last month, arguing in an essay that people will be eagerly anticipating "the collective human engagement" offered by film screenings after spending months self-quarantining. As it turns out, he's also (unsurprisingly) the main reason Tenet has stayed firmly put on its release date in mid-July.
In a recent earnings conference call (h/t Rerelease News), IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond confirmed Nolan is leading the fight against delaying Tenet, saying "I don’t know anyone in America who is pushing harder than Chris Nolan to have the theaters open and to have his movie released in July when it’s scheduled for.” Gelfond also confirmed that post-production on Tenet has continued throughout the current lockdown, saying IMAX has "incorporated a number of remote tools into our workflows" and made it safe for a select few staff members to access their facilities, allowing them to keep the movie on-track to make its tentative date this summer.
Obviously, there are other factors that could prevent Tenet from opening in July, even if it's ready. While a handful of states (like Georgia) have started allowing businesses like theaters to reopen, most places are being more careful. California, in particular, says it could be months before its movie theaters are up and running again. With Warner Bros. committed to releasing Tenet in theaters and not direct to streaming, the studio will likely hold off on releasing it until it's able to play in the biggest markets in the U.S. Considering it's said to have cost more than $200 million to make before advertising, the studio can't afford to screen the tentpole in just a handful of locations, either. It's also worth remembering studies suggest people will be wary of returning to mass public events (like movie screenings), even after it's deemed safe for them to do so. That's another factor which could ultimately lead to Tenet being postponed.
As great as it would be if Tenet (an original, cerebral, sci-fi thriller) was the movie to welcome audiences back to theaters in July, it's simply too early to say if that's going to be possible. The COVID-19 outbreak is still fluid and has some people wondering if theaters will be able to open this summer at all, or simply have to wait and try again in the fall. Even Nolan can only do so much to change that, as admirable as his efforts are. In the meantime, everyone should continue to practice social distancing and maybe - just maybe - things will be safe enough for Tenet to keep its date after all.
Source: Rerelease News
