Tenet is finally coming to theaters, but a catch. Warner Bros. Pictures will only let theaters screen the film if they adhere to proper health protocols, as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is still ongoing.
These protocols were drafted by the National Association of Theater Owners, in a document titled the NATO Proposed Health & Safety Guidelines. Under these guidelines (as well as federal laws), moviegoers must wear a face covering while inside the theater. Other protocols include daily symptom and/or temperature checks for employees, as well as disinfecting auditoriums between screenings and staggering screenings to enforce social distancing.
An email sent by Warner Bros to theater chains further outline the terms: "These special terms are being offered to its exhibitor customers specifically for ‘Tenet’ to address the special circumstances in the market… including the high commercial risk from uncertain consumer demand, reopening rules, health and safety regulations, and socially distancing capacity issues."
Other demands Warner Bros has made include maximum theater marketing directed to publicizing Tenet at no extra cost to the studio. Warner Bros is also asking for 63% of the total gross, and that theaters play at least 3 trailers for their upcoming movies such as Wonder Woman 1984. Tickets for the film will go on sale on August 21. Sneak previews of the film will be held starting on August 31.
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, 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 arrives in theaters in select U.S. cities Sept. 3.
(via IndieWire)