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Christmas comes early for theatre movie lovers as Wonder Woman 1984 debuted in Kenya this week, a week ahead of its international release. The superhero sequel, a Warner Bros movie, will open in US movie theatres on Christmas day, the same day it will debut on the streaming service HBO Max – in territories it is showing in big screen.
With the first Wonder Woman 1984 screening held at the new Century Cinemax at Sarit Centre on Wednesday, the session was the first significant move in efforts to reawaken theatres in Kenya since Covid-19 pandemic struck in March. Theatre lovers did not anticipate Wonder Woman 1984 would be dropping in Kenya this year.
The announcement on the arrival of the movie also came as a surprise to many who have been off movie halls for much of the year. The return comes with health regulations and restrictions on public and social gatherings necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I can’t say movie theatres have been dead as such, as since September when theatres reopened, we have been receiving 80 per cent feedback in terms of attendance at our Junction Mall and Garden City Century Cinemax. The other cinema theatres in Nairobi have also be showing substantive attendance,” said Jotham Micah, the Century Cinemax, Sarit Centre, Pictures Marketing Manager. Micah said they expect Wonder Woman 1984 to pull many people back to the theatres.
ALSO READ: 'Wonder Woman 1984' to hit theaters and streaming on Christmas
He said ticket sales are promising, according to a research carried out on the 11 big screen theatres in Nairobi.
Kenneth Bett, the Project Manager of Anga Imax that currently has two movie theatres in Panari and Diamond Plaza - after the closure of Imax 20 Century – said business has been slow since movie halls re-opened. He, however, said they expect a significant change during Christmas with the arrival of Wonder Woman 1984.
Anga Imax, he said, is banking on good pricing and huge ticket discounts to increase attendance during its screening.
“As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative to keep our businesses moving forward while continuing to serve our fans,” Ann Sarnoff, the chairperson and CEO of Warner Media Studios and Networks Group - which includes Warner Bros Pictures, had said earlier.
ALSO READ: Disney delays 'Black Widow' in new setback for cinemas
“This is an amazing film that really comes to life on the big screen and, working with our partners in the exhibition community, we will provide that option to consumers in the US where theatres are open. We realise that a lot of consumers can’t go back to the movies due to the pandemic, so we also want to give them the option to see Wonder Woman 1984 via our HBO Max platform,” she had said, leaving local theatre lovers in suspense as to whether the film will be screened in Kenya.
Wonder Woman 1984 is an American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman. It is the sequel to 2017’s Wonder Woman and the ninth instalment in the DC Extended Universe. The film is directed by Patty Jenkins. It is starring Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman, alongside Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen in supporting roles.
The December holiday season, one of the busiest for theatres, might not ooze its traditional vibrancy this time round as major movie launches have been cancelled or postponed. People are also still hesitant to visit the theatres. Besides Wonder Woman, all other planned blockbuster releases such as Black Widow, Fast & Furious 9 and No Time to Die, have been pushed to next year.
