Dune Director Still Hoping For Exclusive Theatrical Release

With Warner Bros releasing its tentpole features next year in a hybrid release of limited theatrical and streaming on HBO Max, it looks like Dune might be getting only a theatrical run instead. Earlier in December, Dune director Denis Villeneuve published an essay airing his anger and disappointment with the studio and how they have "no love for cinema or the audiences."

However, Dune could be saved due to the "franchise potential" of the feature film and the internal warring within Legendary as Deadline is reporting that Villeneuve could get his wish after all.

"There is a big fight that might result in lawsuits after it financed 75% of tentpoles Dune and Godzilla Vs. Kong and was completely blindsided. Rumors have the solution to that breach being to preserve Dune as a traditional theatrical to preserve its franchise potential," the report read.

The main reason being behind that is since its October 1 release date falls well after the estimated late spring date when COVID vaccines should, hopefully, achieve herd immunity.

The report continued about other potential blockbusters, including the culmination of the Monsterverse with Godzilla and company.

"Godzilla Vs. Kong might stay an HBO Max hybrid in its May 21 slot, but only if Warner Bros. makes a deal with Legendary that uses as a base the $250 million value established when the film was shopped earlier to Netflix."

With Dune's first trailer having dropped in September and an original release date for December, it was obvious more reshuffling would take place. It was moved to October with the announcement of the hybrid releases, but most of the merchandise has already been out for a month now. It'll be interesting to see the potential after the delay and eventual release next fall.