Christopher Nolan calls Warner's streaming plan ‘a mess’

Christopher lan, one of Warner Bros.’ most important filmmakers, has come out strongly against company’s decision to debut its films on HBO Max and in aters in 2021 . “Tenet” filmmaker told Associated Press Monday that it’s t a good business decision and criticized how company handled it.

“It’s a unilateral decision that studio took. y didn’t even tell people involved,” lan said. “You have se great filmmakers who worked with passion and diligence for years on projects that are intended to be feature films with fantastic movie stars. And y’ve all w been told that y’re a loss-leer for a fledgling streaming service.”

company anunced last week that its 2021 film slate, including new “Matrix” movie, “Dune” and “In Heights” would debut on its streaming service and in aters simultaneously in U.S., rattling Hollywood and resulting in doomsday predictions about future of movie ater.

“I’ve never seen everybody so upset about one particular decision,” lan said.

AMC aters chief am Aron condemned move last week, but in-house filmmaker has spoken out on record until lan, one of studio’s marquee names. lan has worked with Warner Bros. on every film since 2002’s “Insomnia” in a profitable and critically acclaimed run that’s included “ Dark Knight” trilogy, “Inception” and “Dunkirk.”

“It’s t right. And it’s t a good business decision," lan said. “It’s all a bit of a mess.”

Representatives for Warner Bros. did t immediately respond to request for comment.

“Tenet,” his time-bending sci-fi thriller starring John David Washington, is t following suit and heing straight to HBO Max. It is being released on DVD, Blu-ray and digital on Dec. 15. lan said he’s “very gl” his film "isn’t caught up in mess that y’ve me.”

“We will be accessible through Roku and Amazon Prime and iTunes and be everywhere all at once for people to enjoy,” lan ded.

“Tenet” was first and only major blockbuster to test waters opening in aters in early September after y h been closed for nearly six months because of pandemic. With major markets like Los Angeles and New York closed, domestic ticket sales fizzled, and Warner Bros. and or studios responded by delaying year’s remaining major films. But internationally “Tenet” has me over $300 million.

“That sends a very optimistic mess about when aters can open, as long as re are films for m to show, people are going to come back,” lan said. “I think everybody in this business completely understands that long term people are always going to want to go to movies. I think that a lot of short-term thinking going on right w, which is maybe inevitable in such a terrible situation.”