The COVID-19 pandemic dominoes keep following. While Christopher Nolan and Warner Bros. will take their “Tenet” chances in theaters—limited release in the U.S. at best, depending on the states—others like Disney, aren’t taking the risk and or transforming that risk into a premium VOD experience. While not as ambitious as Disney’s move with “Mulan,” which is an add-on feature to Disney+ and slightly more complicated, Lionsgate is following suit. Today, the company announced that “Antebellum,” starring Janelle Monáe and written and directed by the advocacy filmmakers Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz, will premiere as a Premium On-Demand release, debuting on all platforms on September 18. The film will be released theatrically in select international markets.
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“While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris’s urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change,” said Joe Drake, Chairman, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity – not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world.”
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Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz added, “While we designed Antebellum to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture. As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring Antebellum to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event.”
“Antebellum” also stars Eric Lange, Jena Malone, Jack Huston, Kiersey Clemons, Gabourey Sidibe, Marque Richardson, Robert Aramayo, Lily Cowles, and introducing Tongayi Chirisa. Watch the new “Antebellum” trailer below and now adjust your calendar for September 18 viewing at home.
