Photo: Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros. Pictures
David Chase, the mastermind behindTheSopranos,is “extremely angry” over Warner Bros.' decision to release his prequel filmThe Many Saints of Newarkin movie theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously.
“I don’t think, frankly that I would’ve taken the job if I knew it was going to be a day-and-date release,” Chase, 76, toldDeadlinein a new interview ahead of the film’s release on Oct. 1.
“I think it’s awful,” the writer and producer added.
In late 2020, Warner Bros. revealed it would be releasing itsentire 2021 film slate on HBO Maxas well as in movie theaters. The films are available to HBO Max subscribers exclusively for one month. After one month, the newly released films leave the platform and continue to be available in movie theaters in the U.S. and internationally.
The decision was met with criticism from many filmmakers, notably Christopher Nolan.
Chase told Deadline he was “extremely angry” when the studio revealed its plan — “and I still am,” he added.
“I mean, I don’t know how much you go into this, you know, like…okay,” he continued. “If I was…one of those guys, if one of those executives was sitting here and I was to start pissing and moaning about it, they’d say, you know, there’s 17 other movies that have the same problem. What could we do? Covid!”
David Chase createdThe Sopranosand it’s upcoming prequel movieThe Many Saints of Newark.Bennett Raglin/WireImage
He added, “Well, I know, but those 16 other movies didn’t start out as a television show. They don’t have to shed that television image before you get people to the theater. But we do. And that’s where we’re at.”
Chase encouraged fans of the hit HBO show, which starred the late James Gandolfini, to see it in a traditional movie venue.
“People should go see it in a theater. It was designed to be a movie,” he said. “It was…it’s beautiful as a movie. I never thought that it would be back on HBO. Never.”
Michael Gandolfini as Tony Soprano inThe Many Saints of Newark.
Warner Bros. initially released last year’sWonder Womanin theaters and on its newly-launched streaming platform, HBO Max, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The release plan was quickly issued for other major films the studio was rolling out, includingIn The Heights, Tom and Jerry, Godzilla vs. Kong, Mortal KombatandSpace Jam: A New Legacy.
Dune, out on Oct. 22, andWill Smith’sKing Richard, out on Nov. 19, will also have a hybrid release plan.The Matrix Resurrectionswill follow suit on Dec. 22.
The Many Saints of Newarkwill premiere in movie theaters and on HBO Max on Oct. 1.
source: people.com
