Would you pay $50 to see a first-run movie at home?

[Dukefrukem]

It's a good headline but who does AMC think they're fooling?

They'll be lucky if they're playing anybody's movies in 6 months, much less Universal's.

What do you think of this data point?

"[Trolls 2] earning the studio nearly $100 million in three weeks, more than the studio previous “Trolls” movie earned in a five-month theatrical release in 2016"

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/am...nts-2020-04-28

This is AMC's worst nightmare.

[Irish]

What do you think of this data point?

"[Trolls 2] earning the studio nearly $100 million in three weeks, more than the studio previous “Trolls” movie earned in a five-month theatrical release in 2016"

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/am...nts-2020-04-28

This is AMC's worst nightmare.

I think it makes for another fun headline but it's also largely meaningless until every studio releases a dozen plus first-run movies to VOD over the course of the year. Because nobody knows if that ROI is market fever --- a combo of coronavirus quarantine and novelty factor --- or reflective of genuine audience interest.

I mean, imagine a world where Disney had a functioning pipeline for Disney+ and didn't have their heads up their asses. No way "Trolls 2" makes $100MM in 3 weeks then.

I think the studios will struggle with what they've known for awhile: North American interest in blockbusters it way too low to justify the budgets and marketing. So what do? They don't have an international platform to distribute their movies.

So either they half ass it and try and create one (eg: All Access, Disney+, etc). Or they get in bed with their rivals (Netflix, Amazon). Or (and this is my wildest thought): They return to making more mid-budget movies.

For genre movies, this might mean more John Wicks and less Avengers Endgames.

[Ezee E]

More mid-budget movies tends to happen in times of recession.

[TGM]

Assuming AMC even survives this whole thing, there's no way they'll stick to their guns on this Universal scenario. By the time the next F&F is set to release, they'll be singing a different tune. No way they'd turn down that kind of business.

[Ezee E]

Disney will just buy out AMC. Odds?

[Irish]

Disney will just buy out AMC. Odds?

Paramount decree still in effect

[Ezee E]

Paramount decree still in effect

There's always a way.

[Irish]

There's always a way.

Not ... really? Not while the agreement is in place. They'd need court approval to own a significant number of theaters.

The DOJ talked about eliminating the decree late last year but afaik nothing came of it. So Disney is still bound by federal anti-trust law.

(Nevermind that AMC is majority foreign owned and operates 1,000+ theaters and is a $5 billion business. Even without the decree, they'd likely need DOJ approval on the merger.)

[Dukefrukem]

I dont know if Disney would be interested in more brick and mortar platforms. They have Disney+ if they want to release stuff.

[Irish]

plus their rocky relationship with those retail stores

[Grouchy]

I was just talking about this the other day with a friend - what would happen if Disney ended up buying the theater chains and furthering its monopoly? I'm glad there are some laws against that.

[Dukefrukem]

It's a good headline but who does AMC think they're fooling?

They'll be lucky if they're playing anybody's movies in 6 months, much less Universal's.

DEAL MADE! Only 17 days in theaters before VOD. Wow.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...d-pact-1304759

[Ezee E]

So when do you think we'll actually have movies in theaters again? October?

[DFA1979]

So when do you think we'll actually have movies in theaters again? October?

Some day, Ezee. Someday. Probably next year.

[Skitch]

DEAL MADE! Only 17 days in theaters before VOD. Wow.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/ne...d-pact-1304759

What a world. I remember freaking out when I saw trailer for BTTF2 because it meant I could see it on tv in 2-3 years. I literally ran around the house cheering.

[Ivan Drago]

From the sounds of that story, AMC's getting a cut of the PVOD profits and the PVOD price will remain $20. They'll let the movies making money in theaters continue to make money. Sounds like a good deal for everyone involved.

So. . .I guess my retirement from film is curbed for now?

[Skitch]

From the sounds of that story, AMC's getting a cut of the PVOD profits and the PVOD price will remain $20. They'll let the movies making money in theaters continue to make money. Sounds like a good deal for everyone involved.

So. . .I guess my retirement from film is curbed for now?

I guess depends if they still intend to use us for early reviews and supplying us with early viewing options.