If you’ve been anywhere near the internet over the last couple months, you’ve certainly caught wind of the big game of chicken going on right now between Marvel Studios and Warner Bros., who are both refusing to move their superhero films from May 6th, 2016. On the Marvel side of things, we have Captain America 3, which was just officially confirmed for that release date. On the WB/DC side, we have Batman and Superman, who will be co-headlining a live action film for the first time ever in Batman vs. Superman.
At this point in time, both studios are holding their ground, despite the fact that this is a flat-out terrible business decision. Since both movies stand to lose a substantial chunk of their opening box office haul, the studios will likely come to their senses eventually. For now though, we’re just left to wonder who will blink first.
In an interview with Bloomberg, WB president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman agreed that “it doesn’t make a lot of sense for two huge superhero movies to open on the same date.” However, he claims that “at this time, we are not considering a change of date for Batman vs. Superman.”
While WB is willing to play games with the domestic release date, it looks like they aren’t taking chances with the film internationally. After all, 55% of Man of Steel’s global winnings came from outside the United States, and with that in mind WB has reportedly scheduled the film to release a week earlier in the U.K., on April 29th, 2016.
As I said, someone will move eventually, but with two years to go before Cap 3 and Batman vs. Superman are scheduled to hit theaters, I expect there will be a lot more chest-puffing before the studios make a decision.