It looks like it is all systems go for Christopher Nolan’s new film, Tenet when it comes to its upcoming international theatrical release. The blockbuster tentpole has recently been approved for a theatrical release in the huge Chinese market.
Variety reports that the Chinese government has allowed the theatrical release of the film, which means that an official release date is soon to follow. This follows earlier reports that Tenet would premiere in international markets first before making its debut in North America.
WION notes the importance of the Chinese market to Christopher Nolan, as the revenue his films earn in the country outstrips those made from other countries and territories. Dunkirk made $51 million in the country back in 2017, while Interstellar grossed $122 million in China back in 2014.
Other Nolan films that have performed well in China include The Dark Knight Rises, which earned $52.8 million in 2012 and Inception, which earned $68.4 million in 2010. WION also notes that even films executive produced by Nolan, such as Man of Steel, Transcendence, Justice League, and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have earned anywhere from $63 to $106 million.
Aside from China, Tenet is also slated to debut in Russia, South Korea, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The movie is not expected to premiere in the United States until Sept. 3.
This non-traditional release schedule for Tenet came about because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has resulted in movie theaters being closed in the United States since March. Rather than premiering Tenet in the United States the way blockbusters usually are, Warner Bros. has instead opted to debut it in 70 other countries first.
Aside from Tenet, other upcoming blockbusters are likely to follow the same release schedule if the global coronavirus pandemic continues to spread across the world include Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Widow. Disney’s Mulan, which has constantly been scheduled a week after Tenet, has not been given a new release date yet.
Whether the American release date for Tenet will remain unchanged still remains to be seen as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to rage in the United States. According to the July 29 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are now 4,339,997 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country. Deaths caused by COVID-19 are now at 148,866 people.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization’s situation report for July 29 pegs confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide at 16,558,289. COVID-19 fatalities are now at 656,093 people.