This week, AMC one of the country’s biggest theater chains, announced plans for reopening in the middle of July. Like other chains, they also promoted a list of measures that will be taken to protect visitors during this pandemic, including the wear of masks in a reversal done after the initial announcement.
The two films they promoted in this message. Tenet and Mulan.
And it’s not just AMC, these two films helmed by Warner Brothers and Disney respectively are being expected to bring moviegoers back to the theater.
No pressure guys.
The good news is that both films look bankable.
Tenet looks incredible. I’ve watched the trailer more times than I normally would for an upcoming film. It’s shaping up to be the perfect companion piece to Inception. This is Robert Pattison’s big pre Batman movie and at this point in time, I wouldn’t dare bet against director Christopher Nolan. The only risk is that it might go over the heads of some audiences, but that didn’t stop Inception or Interstellar.
Then we have the mouse. Mulan slammed on the emergency break before the theaters closed earlier this year, likely saving millions in the process. The trailers also looked pretty sharp for this one and a live action Disney feature is exactly the reason families need to get out of the house and into the theaters.
Then we’ll have to see how it goes. The world will be watching. And so will the other movie studios holding their films back too.
But if these two projects can’t bring America back to the movies and if there is a second wave incoming, then we all might be streaming at home for some time to come. And we would all lose then.