Christoper Nolan’s spy thriller, ‘Tenet” is hitting Los Angeles drive-ins, granting fans who have been unable to see the film in the theater a reprieve.
Initially, the $200 million flick, starring Robert Pattinson and John David Washington, was off limits at drive ins in any market where indoor cinemas remain dark, such as Los Angeles.
But Warner Bros., the studio behind the film, reversed course earlier this week just as indoor cinemas in Orange County, which is about 35 miles south of LA, gained approval to reopen, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Now drive-ins located in LA can screen the film, even though indoor movie theaters remain closed there. According to THR, by Friday, “Tenet” will be playing at five drive-ins in the greater Los Angeles area, as well as outdoor venues in Orange County, San Diego and the Bay area.
Overall, the film is currently playing on more than 90 drive-in screens across the country.
A rep did not respond to requests regarding whether Warner Bros. had plans to bring “Tenet” to drive-ins in New York.
While drive ins help drum up revenue, the film’s real money-maker is indoor theaters in major markets. It is unclear, however, when “Tenet,” which made its US theatrical debut on Aug. 31, will be able to screen at indoor theaters in big cities like LA and New York, both of which have been hit hard by the coronavirus.
The time-bending thriller is the first blockbuster to premier on the silver screen since the pandemic hit in March. In its opening weekend, it generated $20 million in the US and $53 million oversees.