The ambitious plans for Amazon and MGM Studios to ramp up their theatrical releases from six this year to a whopping 16 by 2027 are a testament to their desire to compete on par with Hollywood's elite. Doug Liman's lingering grievances with the studio over the fate of "Road House" may soon be overshadowed if Amazon's aggressive expansion plans, which have been echoing through industry circles, materialize.
According to reliable sources cited by Reuters and confirmed by IndieWire, Amazon and MGM are gearing up for a significant leap in their cinematic output. This monumental jump, more than doubling their current slate, signals a clear intent to muscle into the big leagues, with an annual lineup that rivals the traditional heavyweights like Universal Pictures. And this doesn't even account for Amazon's international releases, acquisitions from other studios (which can number in the five to six films range), or their direct-to-streaming offerings on Prime Video.
This expansion marks a seismic shift in Amazon's media landscape aspirations, transcending its status as a mere perk for Prime subscribers seeking speedy deliveries. Mike Hopkins, the chief of Amazon Prime Video, echoed the company's grand vision, attributed to Jeff Bezos himself, stating, "We aspire to be more than a mere accessory; we want to be a formidable media force." His words echoed a determination to avoid the pitfalls of sporadic releases, like the proverbial "Saltburn," ensuring a continuous flow of content for their audience.
Amazon's recent forays into live sports, including the high-profile deals with the NFL for Thursday Night Football and the NBA spanning eleven years, have underscored its relentless pursuit of growth. The transition of all Prime Video users to an ad-supported model further underscores its ambition to carve out a substantial slice of the global advertising pie.
Yet, its theatrical ambitions had remained somewhat veiled until now. The $1 billion commitment to bolster theatrical releases post-MGM acquisition, led by Courtenay Valenti from Warner Bros., hinted at a sea change. Ben Affleck's "Air," which grossed $90 million worldwide before streaming on Prime Video, served as a proving ground: a star-studded film designed to gain traction in theaters before migrating to streaming. While Apple adopted a similar strategy, partnering with other distributors, Netflix has taken a diametrically opposite approach.
Recently, Amazon partnered with former Netflix chief Scott Stuber and his nascent production company, reigniting the theatrical flame under the iconic United Artists banner. This partnership, which scratches an itch left unfulfilled during Stuber's Netflix tenure, bodes well for future blockbusters like the next James Bond installments, destined for the big screen.
This year's theatrical lineup boasts a diverse array, from Channing Tatum's thriller "Blink Twice" to Dwayne Johnson's holiday extravaganza "Red One," to Sundance favorite "My Old Ass," and the poignant documentary "Frida." Upcoming releases like "Project Hail Mary" with Ryan Gosling and Nia DaCosta's "Hedda" promise cinematic experiences tailored for theaters, while sequels like "The Accountant 2" with Affleck are reserved for streaming exclusivity.
"Our ambition transcends a mere subscription service," Hopkins emphasized to Reuters. "We're poised to become a self-sustaining, profitable entity, playing a game far broader in scope." With these bold moves, Amazon and MGM are poised to shake up the cinematic landscape, rewriting the rules of Hollywood's game.
