HBO Max and Netflix Are Fighting Over Streaming Rights for 'Godzilla vs. Kong'
It’ll still get a theatrical release (probably).
Netflix is in the midst of a bidding war against HBO Max for the streaming rights to Godzilla vs. Kong.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has submitted a bid of $200 million USD for the streaming rights to the upcoming Legendary Pictures film, although WarnerMedia is trying to hold off and block the deal so it can instead debut the movie on its own streaming platform, HBO Max. While Legendary declined to comment when reached out by THR, a Warner Bros. representative responded that ”We plan to release Godzilla vs. Kong theatrically next year as scheduled.”
As the fourth film in the franchise, which currently includes 2014’s Godzilla, 2017’s Kong: Skull Island and 2019’s Godzilla: King of Monsters, the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong will pit the two beasts head on against each other for the very first time in the joined monster universe. Despite Netflix funding 75 percent of its budget and Warner Bros. only having 25 percent stake, the release rights of the movie are still controlled by the latter. It’s currently slated for a theatrical release on May 21, 2021, although the situation regarding the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and cinema closures remain uncertain.
In other entertainment news, Dwayne Johnson created a fanny pack-wearing Young Rock balloon for Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.
