Wonder if this now means Moana 2 will get IMAX screens.Moana 2 and Wicked no longer share the same release date as Wicked is now set to release 5 days earlier on November 22.
‘Wicked’ Moves Up Release Date, Will No Longer Open Against ‘Moana 2’
“Wicked,” Universal's film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, is landing in theaters on Nov. 22 -- a week ahead of schedule.variety.com
Yeah, 5 days might not seem like much for breathing room but I think the holiday lineup is thin enough that they'll both have plenty of time to make money.
A lot of people seem to forget that Dune did the same thing back in 2021. The actual title of the movie is Dune Part One, but the posters, etc. didn't say as much.
These things are contracted out well in advance, and doesn’t look like there’s any room on the dance card, alas.
Gotta save room for the sure-fire hit, Kraven the Hunter!
I don’t think it’ll do better at all. But these things are booked out like a year in advance. That doesn’t necessarily exclude Lie-Max (non IMAX) large screen bookings, but IMAX official screens are spoken for.
I admit I didn't even consider that would be an issue with Moana 2 -- it wasn't intended for theaters or even the Burbank unit, so it's even doubtful it could be optimized for IMAX, Dolby Cinema, etc. in less than a year on top of everything else that has to be changed (3D is another story). At least they'll get their premium screens with Mufasa - The Lion King at the end of December, presumably.
Oh it hadn’t occurred to me to think about the resolution / scale issue. I was thinking moreso the jockeying that goes on for IMAX screen access:
Yeah, I get what you mean. It's just that even if Moana 2 had an in at this late date - like what happened with The Marvels last year when Dune Part Two was pushed back - it would have to be an IMAX-optimized title. My understanding is that all recent Pixar and Disney in-house animated films are optimized for IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 3D, etc. (including the ones that ended up sent straight to streaming), but Moana 2 wasn't intended for theaters from the get go.
That sort of work would be done towards the end of production.
Which is why Moana 2 still has a chance of an IMAX release now.
IMAX has contracts to set aside their screens for certain films. Between the films currently contracted, there is likely no availability during the release window.
A movie that was contracted to be IMAX moved its date. So, theoretically, there's now no movies scheduled for those IMAX screens that week.
Mmm hmm. All the more reason why Moana 2 may get IMAX screens now.
Which one? Gladiator II and Wicked Part One both open 5 days before Moana 2 and they'll be sharing IMAX screens.
Wicked moved as it was originally opening Thanksgiving against Moana 2. Which means its not guaranteed its IMAX screens for Thanksgiving week, allowing Disney to swoop in and take them if they choose.
Five days. They’re not losing their IMAX rights over five days.
Why are you privy to the contract, do you know that for a fact?
