In an article on the box office disappointments for adult-themed dramas this year (namely Robert Zemeckis’ “Here” and Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis”), The Hollywood Reporter shares some insight on Warner Bros. decision to release “Juror #2” only in limited release: Looking at the landscape when it comes to adult dramas, Warner Bros. Discovery took a different tact and decided from the outset to make the courtroom thriller for Max with Eastwood’s okay. The movie also opened over the Nov. 1-3 weekend opposite Here in a smattering of U.S. cities after being selected as the closing night for the AFI Film Fest, but anyone who is curious about how it did won’t be able to find out, since it was only an awards qualifying run and no grosses were reported. Insiders say it played in roughly 35 theaters. The pic was screened for some reviewers, and sports a stellar 91 percent fresh critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, prompting box office bloggers to predict that Warners will surely change its mind and give the movie a true theatrical run. According to several sources who spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, that isn’t in the cards. The plan remains to send the film, starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons and Paul Bettany, to Max over the Christmas holidays (the streamer has not announced an exact date). The film’s budget is reportedly less than $35 million; a nationwide theatrical release would tack on tens of millions in marketing costs. Theatrical versus streaming is a touchy subject for WBD in the aftermath of “Project Popcorn,” which was orchestrated by the prior regime of Jason Kilar and gave all 2021 films a dual day-and-date release in cinemas and on Max in a surprise move that enraged talent and cinemas. By avoiding a theatrical release, Eastwood and Warners can avoid any bad press Zemeckis and Hanks are having to endure over Here should Juror #2 have disappointed. The complete article can be read over here.
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