The production company behind Godzilla vs. Kong is demanding a hefty payment for this MonsterVerse title to make its debut on HBO Max.
According to Deadline, Godzilla vs. Kong production company Legendary Pictures is negotiating with Warner Bros. regarding release plans for its 2021 titles. Part of these negotiations includes Legendary being open to allowing Godzilla vs. Kong to premiere on HBO Max. However, that would require Warner Bros. to pay $250 million for the title, a figure based upon the amount that rival streaming services like Netflix previously offered to purchase the film. If this demand is met, Godzilla vs. Kong will keep its May 21 release slot.
WarnerMedia's controversial decision to give all 2021 Warner Bros. movies, including Godzilla vs. Kong, simultaneous theatrical and HBO Max bows has drawn heavy ire from all over Hollywood. This is especially true of Legendary Pictures, which provided the majority of financing for upcoming Warner Bros. films Godzilla vs. Kong and Dune.
Previously, Legendary Pictures was considering a lawsuit over this release maneuver. The primary causes for such a lawsuit were due to Warner Bros. keeping Legendary in the dark on its release plans as well as the studio preventing Legendary from selling Godzilla vs. Kong to Netflix.
Directed by Adam Wingard and written by Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein, Godzilla vs. Kong stars Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry. The film arrives in theaters and on HBO Max May 21.
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Source: Deadline