Grab the popcorn... Things are getting spicy between AMC Theaters and Comcast's Universal Pictures. Yesterday we talked about the unexpected triumph of the Trolls World Tour movie, and how it could change "movie math" forever:
Who knew Trolls could cause so much drama?... NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell was so thrilled with the digital success that he said Universal will release movies in both theaters and digital when theaters reopen. AMC, the world's largest movie theater chain, was not about it (at all) — So its CEO wrote an aggressive open letter:
Pre-emption is key... AMC struck fast and hard against normalization of the one thing that could destroy its biz forever: digital releases. Movie theaters aren't in the strongest position right now — but they can set expectations ASAP. Regal Cinemas also warned Universal to respect the theatrical window. Now Universal is backtracking, saying it "absolutely" believes in the theatrical experience and AMC misunderstood.