Cliff Booth loses Regal and Cinemark’s Imax screens
Regal and Cinemark have declined Imax bookings for Netflix’s The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth. The David Fincher film starring Brad Pitt retains a two-week AMC engagement starting November 25, ahead of its December 23 streaming release. The refusals come as exhibitors allocate premium screens to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.
Arts··Morning
Two circuits turn down the booking
Regal and Cinemark, two major US cinema chains, will not book Netflix’s The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth on their Imax large-format screens. TheWrap independently learned of both decisions. Variety reported Regal’s refusal and attributed Cinemark’s decision to sources. The film stars Brad Pitt and is directed by David Fincher.[1], [2]
AMC, another major US circuit, is keeping its planned two-week Imax engagement beginning November 25. The Netflix streaming release is scheduled for December 23. That leaves the film with different arrangements at the national circuits: AMC will participate in the Imax run, while Regal and Cinemark have declined it.[1]
Regal points to theatrical exclusivity
Regal’s US content executive Brooks LeBoeuf linked the chain’s allocation of premium screens to distributors’ commitment to theatrical releases. In a statement, he said shorter exclusive cinema windows affect those decisions. He also said Regal would give full Imax support to The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, from distributor Lionsgate.[1]
Sunrise on the Reaping opens on November 20 and is scheduled to use a substantial share of Imax capacity. Circuits accepting Cliff Booth would have to give up some Hunger Games screenings. Cliff Booth’s arrival on Netflix roughly a month after its cinema opening is part of the timetable the exhibitors are weighing.[1]
The remaining Imax network
AMC has approximately 200 Imax screens in the United States. International independent cinemas are also participating, with Variety putting the planned worldwide run at more than 500 screens. Those bookings remain in place despite the two circuits’ refusals. Regal operates about 100 Imax screens and Cinemark around 20, according to the same account.[1]
The film follows Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, with Quentin Tarantino writing the screenplay and Pitt reprising Cliff Booth. Its story is set in 1977, when Booth has become a cinema owner and part-time Hollywood fixer. It is Pitt’s fourth film with Fincher, after Seven, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.[2]
