The screen is one weekly column devoted to everything that happens in WIRED cultural world, from movies to memes, TV to Twitter.
Earlier this week, moviegoers got to enjoy: The writer behind Nicole Kidman is now legendary Advertising AMC, which has been showing screenings at the chain for months, has revealed that the film will have a sequel. As news of the sequel spread, there was no indication as to whether it would feature an iconic line like “somehow, it feels heartbreaking to be in a place like this,” but Billy Ray , who wrote it, said the next part was “was written. “For those who had anticipated the clip before their movie, the news of its sequel is the impetus to return to the multiplex again.
Of course, there have been a lot of recent attempts to get people back into theaters. Moviegoing has achieved resounding success in time Covid-19 pandemic and while blockbusters like Spider-Man: There’s no way home and Top Gun: Maverick Having proven that there is still a thirst for the experience on the big screen, the future of the cinema is the subject of much hand. In fact, this Saturday, several franchises — including AMC — are offering $3 tickets to celebrate National Film Day. Movement, based on Film Foundation President Jackie Brenneman, wanted to say a “thank you” to movie lovers who returned to theaters this summer and “an additional attraction for those who haven’t yet.”
This is sure to bring in some moviegoers. But, if possible, I have another suggestion: Put The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power In the theater.
I already know. This is very unlikely to happen. Besides the Oscar nominees, Amazon, the company is releasing Rings of Power on Prime Video this week, doesn’t normally send its content to theaters. Also, Ring of Power is a TV show, not a movie, so its format doesn’t exactly give the cinema experience.
Howeverif one thing became clear from the early episodes of Ring of Powerand their critical reception, which is that they’re gorgeous and massive, the kind of thing people want to see on the biggest screen possible, like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film. The Ring of Power is the most expensive series in television history — a passionate project of Jeff Bezos, the head of Tolkien. And, as Kathryn Van Areendonk noted in her review for New York Magazine, it’s made for theatrical viewing. “Combining these many resources into visual effects is certainly appreciated,” she wrote, “but it seems a bit of a shame for a series that many audiences will watch on a palm-sized screen. “
Amazon seems to be aware of this. Although the time has come and gone, the company has kept a small series premiere events in cities around the globe, giving fans the chance to watch the first two episodes of Ring In the theater. Understandably, Amazon spent millions on the program as a way to get people to sign up for Prime, not get them into movie theater seats. And yet, a theatrical performance can ignite interest in the show and likely to attract more people to the theater.
This is like a pipe dream. But after streaming services gave people access to movies and TV shows during the Covid lockdown, there has been no correction of course. Maybe give everyone a reason to head to the box office to watch one of the biggest TV shows of the year — if not the the biggest TV show of the year — that’s the thing. If not, maybe someone can convince Warner Bros. Discovery does it with Dragon’s House? The company can use some goodwill.
