To put it bluntly, the next two months at the multiplex are fucked. Between holiday blockbusters and dramatic fare gunning for Oscars, there is an unbelievable amount of new movies on the way, and it's no surprise that some titles are going to shimmy and shift to get the best exposure possible. But when it concerns a highly anticipated movie about one of the most dramatic events in recent American history, in what could be a major awards season player, we have to sit up and take notice. Sony is looking at forgoing the wide release of Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" on December 19th for a New York and Los Angeles bow and platform release. Does this mean the movie isn't a contender? Let's not sweat it just yet.
Let's take a look at the weekend of December 21st, shall we? With 'Zero' slated to open on the Wednesday before, that Friday will see "Jack Reacher," "This Is 40" and "Monsters Inc. 3D" going wide. Meanwhile, at the arthouse is Michael Haneke's "Amour," tsunami drama "The Impossible," David Chase's "Not Fade Away," and Walter Salles' "On The Road." Mental. And oh yeah, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" opens the week before, while not long after, Christmas Day brings "Django Unchained" and "Les Miserables." Now of all the wide releases, do you think audiences are going to shell out money for a very sober Osama Bin Laden drama in the height of the holiday season? Not likely.
Logistically, platforming makes more sense and will give Sony more room to keep rolling out press. Undoubtedly, Bigelow will be going down to the wire to finish the film, which shot earlier this year. Instead of trying to cram in all the advance interviews in time for a single release, as it rolls out it will give Bigelow and the cast room to breathe and do interviews and press as the movie reaches more markets over a few weeks.
Granted, maybe Sony realized the picture wasn't going to be the Oscar horse they thought, and are adjusting accordingly, but we sort of doubt it. We think it's the studio realizing the calendar is packed and word of mouth will only help "Zero Dark Thirty," and this move might be wiser than throwing the film out there in one go and seeing if it will sink or swim.
Sony has yet to confirm any of this, but according to THR's report following the NY/LA December 19 bow, the film would expand to more markets on January 4th before going wide on January 11th. Official word is likely just around the corner.
Well this sucks…..I was looking forward to it! Fuck Jack Reacher! Reach for a later release date!
Actually disagree with the thesis. Forget about the Oscars, Zero Dark Thirty's best chance to make the most money is having the film released closer to the election. I know Obama is not referred to in the film, but after the amount times he has talked to his success of getting Bin Laden, it will resonated with consumers, especially if re-elected. The audience is not stupid. The last point I will make is that even though the schedule is jam packed this holiday season, there is nothing on the schedule that matches Zero Dark Thirty's tone or story. I will be really disappointed if this film gets pushed back. It is my most anticipated for the remainder of the year.
Anyone else think THE MASTER should have followed a similar release schedule? It still could have played at Venice (collected same prizes) and Toronto but waited longer for a wide release.
The penultimate paragraph makes no sense, since the film will still qualify for the Oscars, and this move will actually give it a BETTER chance.