(Image source: Disney Pictures)
Last month, Netflix launched its first-ever global wide theatrical release plan, aiming to bring "The Magician's Nephew," the first installment of its new "The Chronicles of Narnia" film series, directly to the big screen. However, entertainment outlet The Wrap recently reported that this rare "privilege" of a theatrical release was originally contested by other Netflix films behind the scenes, which ultimately lost out.
(Image source: Netflix)
According to The Wrap, the production team behind "Ray Gunn," the sci-fi animated film directed by Brad Bird (known for "The Incredibles" series), had initially tried to convince Netflix that "Ray Gunn" was a more suitable candidate for a theatrical release than "The Magician's Nephew," citing the strong box office performance of animated films in recent years.
While the "Ray Gunn" team was lobbying Netflix, the streamer had only planned a two-week global IMAX release for "The Magician's Nephew" during this year's Thanksgiving holiday. However, that release has now been pushed to next year's Valentine's Day, with its distribution expanded to an exclusive two-month theatrical run across "all versions."
(Image source: Pinterest)
Ultimately, Netflix did not greenlight a theatrical run for "Ray Gunn." Instead, it opted for David Fincher's purported sequel to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," "The Adventures of Cliff Booth," to fill "The Magician's Nephew"'s original Thanksgiving slot, with an exclusive one-month run in global IMAX theaters. Ironically, Fincher himself reportedly neither actively campaigned for a theatrical release nor seemed particularly concerned about it.
(Image source: Netflix)
Beyond its failed bid for a theatrical release, "Ray Gunn" has also been caught in the recent tensions between Netflix and Skydance Animation, which arose from their competition to acquire Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is distributed by Netflix, but produced by Skydance Animation, creating an awkward collaboration. Neither Netflix nor Skydance was willing to invest further funds to send "Ray Gunn" to theaters.
Furthermore, Netflix and the "Ray Gunn" team reportedly have differing views on controlling the film's runtime and rating. Despite "Ray Gunn" receiving excellent word-of-mouth from secret test screenings—even in its rough, unfinished state—Netflix is pushing for the production team to keep the rating as family-friendly PG as possible, without exceeding that threshold.
via： The Wrap