Godzilla vs. Kong becomes the latest big-budget movie to likely shift to streaming

Given the uncertainty around movie theaters opening further in the new year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, another would-be box office blockbuster may head to streaming instead of theaters next year.

Warner Bros.’ highly-anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong, which pits the iconic creatures Godzilla and King Kong against each other, is likely heading to a streaming service, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

While no deals are finalized yet, Netflix has reportedly submitted a $200 million offer for the movie, though WarnerMedia has reportedly blocked the offer, as it prepares an offer for the Warner-owned streamer HBO Max. 

Sequel streaming: Given the uncertainty around movie theaters opening further in the new year, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, another would-be box office blockbuster may head to streaming instead of theaters next year

Legendary Pictures, which produced the film and has a producing and financing deal with Warner Bros., declined to comment on the movie heading to streaming.

A Warner Bros. spokesperson, however, issued a brief statement, which read, ‘We plan to release Godzilla vs. Kong theatrically next year as scheduled.’

Godzilla vs. Kong is currently set for release on May 21, 2021, currently going up against Lionsgate’s Saw spin-off Spiral.

No comment: Legendary Pictures, which produced the film and has a producing and financing deal with Warner Bros., declined to comment on the movie heading to streaming

No comment: Legendary Pictures, which produced the film and has a producing and financing deal with Warner Bros., declined to comment on the movie heading to streaming

The film was originally set for a November 20, 2020 release, though it was pushed to May 21, 2021 due to the global pandemic. 

Still, it’s unclear if the COVID-19 virus will be contained enough by then to warrant theaters opening in major markets like New York and Los Angeles.  

Legendary put up 75% of the budget, with Warner Bros. putting up the other 25%, though they are distributing and control terms of the release.

Release push: The film was originally set for a November 20, 2020 release, though it was pushed to May 21, 2021 due to the global pandemic

Release push: The film was originally set for a November 20, 2020 release, though it was pushed to May 21, 2021 due to the global pandemic

If Netflix does end up landing the project, directed by Adam Wingard, it’s possible that it may end up getting a theatrical release in China.

Netflix has no presence in China, and the movie would likely do quite well, given the grosses of the three movies before it in the Middle Kingdom.

2014’s Godzilla earned $200.6 million domestic and $524.9 million worldwide, with China’s $77.6 million tally the biggest foreign market, by far.

Box office hit: 2014's Godzilla earned $200.6 million domestic and $524.9 million worldwide, with China's $77.6 million tally the biggest foreign market, by far

Box office hit: 2014’s Godzilla earned $200.6 million domestic and $524.9 million worldwide, with China’s $77.6 million tally the biggest foreign market, by far

2017’s Kong: Skull Island took in $168 million domestically and $566.6 million worldwide, $168.1 million of which came from China.

While 2018’s Godzilla: King of Monsters dipped significantly at the domestic box office ($110.5 million), China’s $135.5 million represented nearly half of the $276.1 million foreign haul.

Still, this report comes just days after Warner Bros. confirmed its highly-anticipated superhero sequel Wonder Woman 1984 will be released simultaneously in theaters and on the WarnerMedia streaming service HBO Max. 

Kong: 2017's Kong: Skull Island took in $168 million domestically and $566.6 million worldwide, $168.1 million of which came from China

Kong: 2017’s Kong: Skull Island took in $168 million domestically and $566.6 million worldwide, $168.1 million of which came from China

King of Monsters: While 2018's Godzilla: King of Monsters dipped significantly at the domestic box office ($110.5 million), China's $135.5 million represented nearly half of the $276.1 million foreign haul

King of Monsters: While 2018’s Godzilla: King of Monsters dipped significantly at the domestic box office ($110.5 million), China’s $135.5 million represented nearly half of the $276.1 million foreign haul

Godzilla vs. Kong will pit both epic monsters against each other, with Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown returning as father and daughter Mark and Madison Russell from Godzilla: King of Monsters.

The cast also includes Alexander Skarsgard as a geologist who works closely with King Kong, along with Julian Dennison, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Demian Bichir, Jessica Henwick and Eiza Gonzalez.

Adam Wingard (The Guest, You’re Next) directs from a script by Eric Pearson (Thor: Ragnarok) and Max Borenstein (Godzilla) 

Monster mash: Godzilla vs. Kong will pit both epic monsters against each other, with Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown returning as father and daughter Mark and Madison Russell from Godzilla: King of Monsters

Monster mash: Godzilla vs. Kong will pit both epic monsters against each other, with Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown returning as father and daughter Mark and Madison Russell from Godzilla: King of Monsters

Monster mash: Godzilla vs. Kong will pit both epic monsters against each other, with Kyle Chandler and Millie Bobby Brown returning as father and daughter Mark and Madison Russell from Godzilla: King of Monsters