The release strategy for the thrice-delayed film A Quiet Place Part II has the film’s key creatives locked in despite with the studio, according to reports.
Paramount’s decision to shorten the theatrical run of A Quiet Place Part II has reportedly created a dispute with the film’s key personnel, with recompense seemingly being the problem. As is common practice in Hollywood, many key creatives take back end deals in lieu of smaller upfront salaries, the idea of course being, that should a film perform well in cinemas, an actor or director can make far more. However, with the arrival of the pandemic, this approach has proved to be deeply problematic.
Other studios such as Warner Bros, of course, have already encountered this issue before. It concerned lots of its creatives when it announced in December that it would be releasing its entire 2021 slate simultaneously on streaming platform HBO Max at the same time as the films hit cinemas. Naturally, this upset anybody within that slate who had a backend deal, because lower audience numbers means a smaller profit.
In that particular case, the studio quickly agreed compensation payouts to calm the storm.
However, with Paramount having halved the theatrical window for A Quiet Place Part II from 90 days to 45, it’s reportedly unwilling to negotiate similar deals with that film’s key personnel, including star Emily Blunt, director John Krasinski and the film’s producers, including Michael Bay.
Both actors and producers are allegedly worried that significant portions of the film’s audience will choose to sit out the theatrical experience, affecting their deal. What is sure is that now the 90-day theatrical window is effectively obsolete in the face of new studio agreements that work on an individual basis, backend deals may become far less favourable. Hopefully, all involved will find a way to end the dispute ahead of the film’s release (exclusively in cinemas here in the UK) on June 4th.
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