Tenet, Christopher Nolan's twice-delayed tentpole film, needs to gross $800 million in global box office to break even, according to an analysis in IndieWire.
That's a target which is difficult to reach, as the world grapples with coronavirus (COVID-19) and theaters remain closed in different regions -- or are ordered to close again after restrictions were relaxed.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week issued an executive order closing theaters, restaurants, bars and other businesses statewide after a surge in COVID-19 cases. Likewise, Hong Kong closed theaters this week after letting them reopen in May. Also, several theater chains in New Jersey filed a lawsuit against the governor and acting health commissioner because theaters there are not allowed to reopen, while houses of worship were.
Tenet's original release date was July 17. Warner Bros. moved it to July 31 and then to August, which affected the release dates of other films, such as Wonder Woman 1984, which now opens Oct. 2.
IndieWire notes that Tenet's production and marketing costs are $400 million.
Tenet stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Elizabeth Debicki, Kenneth Branaugh, Dimple Kapadia, Martin Donovan, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Himesh Patel, Clémence Poésy, Denzil Smith and Michael Caine. The film is set for a theatrical release on Aug. 12.