‘Matrix’ co-producer sues Warner over HBO streaming release

LOS ANGELES: A co-producer of The Matrix Resurrections movie filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the studio’s decision to release the movie on a streaming service at the same time it was launched in theatres, as per a report issued on Monday.

According to the sources, the suit filed in Los Angeles (LA) is the latest chapter in the growing resentment between those who prefer to profit from cinematic releases and Hollywood studios who want to grow their streaming services.

The clash follows a very public spat between Scarlet Johnson and Disney in which the Hollywood star sued for loss of earnings because the film hit Disney while it was still being featured in theatres. The case was later sorted out in court.

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Warner Media released its entire 2021 catalogue on HBO Max, as Hollywood grappled with the COVID-19 pandemic and halted earnings from theatres.

As said by the Wall Street Journal, the suit by Village Roadshow Entertainment Group alleges the studio moved The Matrix Resurrections release date to 2021 from its originally scheduled 2022 to help generate more subscriptions to HBO Max.

“Warner Bros. sole purpose in shifting the release date of The Matrix Resurrections forward was to create a desperately-needed wave of year-end HBO Max premium subscriptions from what it knew would be a blockbuster film,” the Journal stated.

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“Despite knowing full well what it would decimate the film’s box office revenue and deprive Village Roadshow of any economic boost that warner Bros. or its affiliates would enjoy,” the lawsuit said.

The Matrix Resurrections is the fourth instalment of the original reality-or-simulation Keanu Reeves vehicle. The film grossed around $37 million at the North American box office by early February. “The Matrix”, by contrast took $172 million.

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