This week is all about three things – filmmakers voicing their opinions about Warner Bros/AT&T release decision, Disney+ Investor's Day and their Phase 4 Marvel plans, and Christmas that are closing in on us.

This Week's Bullets

This Week's Curated Articles

Directors, Theaters Express Worry Over Warner Bros. HBO Max Deal

The WB's announcement, that came on December 3, about having the same date for HBO Max's release as well as theatrical one for a slate of more than 15 films doesn't go unnoticed. It would be an understatement to say that some are not happy.

Warner Bros Sets Entire 2021 Movie Slate To Debut On HBO Max Along With Cinemas In Seismic Windows Model Shakeup
WarnerMedia didn’t have to wait until Wonder Woman 1984 debuted both on HBO Max and in theaters: The Burbank, CA-based Warner Bros is putting its entire 2021 theatrical slate on HBO Max for the films’ respective first month of release, concurrent with a global cinema release. Following the one-month…
DeadlineAnthony D’Alessandro

Denis Villeneuve, one of my favourite directors, is calling out Warner Bros and AT&T in his open letter, stating that filmmaking is about collaboration and trust, but that WB decided to not be on the same team anymore. That being said, Villeneuve supported the decision to delay the release by a year because of public safety, and he's pro-streaming, but he argues that some movies are made to be seen on a big screen.

‘Dune’ Director Denis Villeneuve Blasts HBO Max Deal (EXCLUSIVE)
I learned in the news that Warner Bros. has decided to release “Dune” on HBO Max at the same time as our theatrical release, using prominent images from our movie to promote their streaming service. With this decision AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film histor…
VarietyDenis Villeneuve

Another name that is weighing in on this move is, for example, Christopher Nolan – though his Tenet's premiere was one of the reasons WB decided to go this way – he warns about how this will affect workers in the film industry. Others, such as Patty Jenkins or Aaron Sorkin, are afraid of what such decision will mean for the future of filmmaking.

Patty Jenkins, Aaron Sorkin on Warner Bros.’ HBO Max Shocker: ‘We’re All Scared Everything’s Going to Change Now’
“Wonder Woman 1984” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” both made headlines this year when their respective studios, Warner Bros. and Paramount, chose to circumvent the pandemic by shifting the titles from a theatrical to a streaming-centric release. In the case of “WW84,” Warner Bros. chose a day-and-…
VarietyAdam B. Vary

Directors Guild of America (DGA), according to THR, expressed their concerns about how films will be valued in a letter signed by their executive, and demanding a meeting. Legendary Entertainment, the production company that co-financed for example Dune, hopes to negotiate with WB about a generous deal. Still, they are prepared to take legal action if the two companies are not able to reach a compromise.

Sources: Directors Guild Rebukes Warner Bros. in Sharply Worded Letter Criticizing Streaming Plan | Hollywood Reporter
The letter is said to express the guild’s concerns about how the films will be valued.
The Hollywood ReporterBillboardVibeKim Masters, Erik Hayden

As you can see, a lot of people are voicing their opinions, calling for a discussion. Hollywood, totally blindsided by such decision, is never going to be the same again after the year we just had, but right now, we're sailing in the dark.

Directors, Theaters Express Worry Over Warner Bros. HBO Max Deal
Warner Bros. drew attention in early December when it announced plans to simultaneously release all of its films in theaters and on HBO Max throughout 2021. The decision, affecting 17 major films from “The Matrix 4″ to “Dune,” highlights just how important streaming services have become in the past …
VarietyEli Countryman

Every Project Disney Announced at Its 2020 Investor Meeting

Focus your eyes, the 2020 Disney Investor Day! Once a year, Disney summons its investors and tells them what’s ahead for upcoming years. This year was really enriching, as you can check that in the article! If you wanna read more about every announced project, follow me here.

Disney+ Programming: Here’s What Was Announced Or Confirmed For Streamer During Disney Investor Day
Disney unveiled dozens of new films and TV shows for Disney+ during its investor day Thursday and confirmed several others. Here is a rundown of what is headed to the streamer in the coming weeks, months and years. The list is split up by division — ranging from Lucasfilm, Marvel and Pixar to Disney…
DeadlineErik Pedersen

And psst! We have a few other bits of gossip which Disney revealed – one of them being not recasting the role of Chadwick Boseman. The rest? You can read about that in this article.

Black Panther 2 won’t recast Chadwick Boseman’s role, Disney reveals
Boseman played T’Challa in the hit 2018 superhero film
The IndependentLouis Chilton

3 Budgets, 1 Director: Does Money Change Nolan's Filmmaking Style?

Christopher Nolan is not just a great director, but also a very wise one. In this article (as well as the attached videos) you can find three Nolan’s movies in comparison, a $6K Following, $9 million Memento and $160 million Inception and you can see how this director works with the money he has. It’s the motion of the ocean, not the size of the boat.

3 Budgets, 1 Director: Does Money Change Nolan’s Filmmaking Style?
Nolan has worked at various budgetary levels in his films. Here’s how.
No Film SchoolJason Hellerman

Award's & Festival's Window

'Another Round' Wins Big at European Film Awards

(Drumroll in the back) It’s done, the 33rd European Film Awards have their winners. Almost all the glory was gained by Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round”. Have you seen it? If not, you definitely should! Of course there are lots of other great movies – the whole list of winners and a bit more about Another Round above.

‘Another Round’ Wins Big at European Film Awards
Thomas Vinterberg’s “Another Round” took home the top prize at the 33rd European Film Awards. The Danish dramedy swept Saturday’s virtual ceremony, nabbing additional wins for best director and best actor for Mads Mikkelsen, who plays an alcoholic high school teacher. Vinterberg also won best screen…
VarietyJanet W. Lee

This Week's Recommendation

The best Christmas movies on Netflix

You can deny it, you can disagree with it, but that is the only thing you can really do about it. Christmas are just behind the doors, and we have to accept it, even though this year it will be slightly different. Anyway, if you want to get into the mood, here are some tips on thematic movies you can dig out from Netflix. Get hot cacao and a fluffy blanket and brace yourselves - Christmas are coming.

The best Christmas movies on Netflix
Crackers all round.
Digital SpyRosie Fletcher

Trailer of the Week

Sound of Metal (2019)

I have, honestly, no excuse of how this could have slipped through our fingers. Riz Ahmed gives the best performance of his career in Darius Marder’s powerful story about a drummer losing his hearing. And, unlike the movie from the last week, that this time, the community stands behind it.

Director Marder told Variety, “This film is a wake-up. Most people think of deafness as a physical disability. We don’t understand that it is in fact, a culture.”