As Wonder Woman 1984 heads for front rooms at the same time as it hits cinema screens, the future of expensive blockbusters is in the balance
Wonder Woman’s origin myth is well known: Princess Diana of Themyscira quits her beloved fantasy island of Amazonian warrior
Women and sets out into the human world to help save us from our worst instincts, like a sort of kick-ass female Jesus in red, blue and gold. You might think Gal Gadot’s battling goddess would be better off heading home, given we’re in the middle of a pandemic, otherwise it probably won’t be long until she needs a little saving herself, along with all the other superhero movies out there.
Covid 19’s ability to shutter cinemas worldwide could fundamentally alter the way these big-budget productions are put together in future. It was reported this week that forthcoming sequel Wonder Woman 1984 will be the first film screened in 4K Ultra HD on the new US streaming service
HBO Max, from
Christmas Day. It’s also heading to cinemas at the same time (fans outside the US won’t have the streaming option for now), but whether anyone really feels like heading out to a multiplex with the virus raging and temperatures plunging when they can simply download an app and watch in the comfort of their own home remains to be seen.