Last week brought the jaw-dropping announcement that Warner Bros. was electing to bring all of its 2021 releases to theaters and HBO Max simultaneously and now it’s been revealed that Legendary is reportedly upset that Godzilla vs. Kong and Dune were included in the bunch, according to Deadline.
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The studio behind the MonsterVerse and Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune was previously in talks with Netflix about possibly bringing the the latest chapter in in the former series to the streaming platform in a $250 million deal, but Warner Bros. reportedly pulled the deal and set it for the digital/theatrical release without notifying Legendary. With the banner having provided an estimated 75 percent of $165 million budget for Dune and similar figures for Godzilla vs. Kong, Legendary is reportedly getting ready to or already has sent legal letters to WB to challenge their decision.
The epic action-adventure Godzilla vs Kong will pit two of the greatest icons in motion picture history against one another — the fearsome Godzilla and the mighty Kong — with humanity caught in the balance.
The film stars Alexander Skarsgård (Big Little Lies, The Little Drummer Girl), Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things), Rebecca Hall (Christine, Professor Marston and the Wonder Women), Brian Tyree Henry (Atlanta, Widows), Shun Oguri (Gintama), Eiza González (Baby Driver), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist), and Julian Dennison (Deadpool 2). Also starring in the highly-anticipated movie are Kyle Chandler (The Wolf of Wall Street, Manchester by the Sea) and Demián Bichir (The Nun, The Hateful Eight).
The fourth installment in Warner Bros.’ Pictures and Legendary’s Monsterverse is directed by Adam Wingard from a script written by Oscar nominee Terry Rossio (Pirates of the Caribbean, Deja Vu, Shrek). The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric McLeod, and Brian Rogers, with Kenji Okuhira, Yoshimitsu Banno, Jon Jashni and Thomas Tull serving as executive producers. Jay Ashenfelter, Jen Conroy and Tamara Kent are co-producers.
The most recent film in Legendary’s MonsterVerse, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, hit theaters last summer. It ended with Godzilla taking his rightful place as the ruler of all Titans. Unfortunately, the movie was a financial disappointment, grossing only $385.9 million against a budget estimated to be as high as $200 million.
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A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, the Dune movie tells the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence — a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential — only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Buy the book that started it all here!
The star-studded cast includes Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name), Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible — Fallout), Oscar Isaac (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Josh Brolin (Avengers: Endgame), Stellan Skarsgård (Thor: The Dark World), Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Stephen McKinley Henderson (Fences), Zendaya (Spider-Man: Far From Home), Chang Chen (Love And Destiny), Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Sex Education), with Charlotte Rampling (The Night Porter), Jason Momoa (Aquaman) and Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men).
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Villeneuve is best known for directing Blade Runner 2049 as well as Sicario. Though Dune will likely resemble the former film more than the latter, both display the sort of experience directing arid, desolate locales that a fan would want in their Dune director, considering a sizable chunk of the story takes place on a desert planet.
Godzilla vs. Kong is set to hit theaters and HBO Max beginning May 21, 2021 while Dune will release on October 1, 2021.
