Hollywood is infamous for being an industry that tries to emulate its successes. Producers are averse to risking tens of millions of dollars on a new movie unless they are confident that their investment will pay off.
Universal may be trying to recreate at least some of last year’s BARBENHEIMER magic by moving the release date of its film adaptation of the Broadway musical WICKED to November 22, the same day when Paramount’s action sequel GLADIATOR II is scheduled to arrive.
The same-day releases of these two films share some of the same attributes as last year’s BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER. Each film appeals to a separate audience. The films are so completely different that their unlikely pairing will draw media attention itself.
Not only are the two films unlikely to cannibalize ticket sales from the other, they may even grow the potential audience. That’s how it played for BARBIE and OPPENHEIMER, with many moviegoers choosing to see both films back-to-back for the novelty of it all.