Tenet Still Expected To Be Released Next Month, Theater Chain Boss Says

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to dozens of movies that were set for release over the spring and summer to be delayed. But there's one one major film that has so far not shifted its date, and that's Christopher Nolan's sci-fi thriller Tenet. The film is due to arrive on July 17, and now the head of one of America's biggest theater chains has stated that it still expects it to hit that date.

As reported by Deadline, Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi has addressed the issue of Tenet's release. "We've been in close contact with Warner Bros. and they remain optimistic and positive as well as Christopher Nolan about the July 17 opening," he said. "Of course, it depends on the continued positive movement due to the decline of COVID-19 and government restrictions being reduced."

As Zoradi notes, Tenet's release depends on theaters in major markets being open in time. While cinemas in some states have started to reopen, New York and Los Angeles are yet to set a date for this, and it seems highly unlikely Warner will want to release the movie without these cities.

Even when theaters do reopen, they are expected to have a reduced capacity. However, Zoradi stated that even if fewer audience members can attend each screening, Cinemark will still be able to "operate profitability with all the [safety] techniques we put in place."

Tenet stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson, Michael Caine, Kenneth Branagh, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The latest trailer was released this month, and it was followed by this TV spot.

While most movie and TV productions are currently on hold, James Cameron's Avatar sequels are about to resume shooting. They are being made in New Zealand, and Cameron is currently in self-quarantine there before he resumes work on the films.