Did Warner Bros. Snub Clint Eastwood?
By Movieguide® Contributor
Did Warner Bros. snub 94-year-old Clint Eastwood?
The iconic actor has been with the studio almost exclusively since 1971 and generated over $4 billion at the box office, per Variety, but his latest directorial release, JUROR NO. 2, isn’t getting the big screen release that one would expect.
The movie follows a juror in a high-profile murder trial.
JUROR NO. 2 was originally created for WB’s streaming platform, Max, though a premiere date on the platform has yet to be announced.
“Warner Bros. gave JUROR NO. 2 a tiny theatrical release in the U.S., reportedly opening the film on just 31 domestic screens — though the studio withheld both the precise count and the resulting box office figures,” Variety said.
So, why did the studio give the movie such a small release?
The decision came as an upgrade and not a sign of disrespect.
“Eastwood was on board with that plan all along, with the understanding they would revisit the opportunity of a limited theatrical run once the studio had screened the film — and that’s what happened,” the outlet reported. “Late this summer, WB let Eastwood know they would support a modest big-screen release, and in mid-September, it was announced that JUROR NO. 2 would close the Los Angeles-based AFI Fest, with ‘a prestige theatrical showcase’ (as a spokesperson for the studio described it) to follow on Nov. 1.”
And things are looking up because, as of a few days ago, the film expanded to 15 more screens.
However, other outlets, like NPR, see the film’s limited theatrical run as a slap in the face to Eastwood.
“It’s not the typical treatment for a Clint Eastwood movie, especially one that some think might be the last Clint Eastwood movie. I hope they’re wrong. Either way, the fact that Eastwood’s longtime studio would bury his latest speaks to the various crises that have befallen the industry in general and Warner Bros. in particular,” NPR reported.
IndieWire added, “Warners also took the unusual step of blocking any reporting of its domestic grosses — even on Comscore, which receives same-day grosses from over 95 percent of theaters. Published reports suggest it will start streaming on Max in late December.”
Movieguide® celebrated the movie’s “strong moral worldview” and focus on “justice, truth and doing the right thing.”
The jeopardy in JUROR #2 is a little soft. However, adding intense jeopardy could have seemed over the top. Ultimately, JUROR #2 is an excellent, compelling, nuanced drama about justice and doing the right thing. The title character faces a moral dilemma. So does the prosecutor. In the end, justice and truth are victorious. Also, a brilliant reference to America’s motto, “In God We Trust,” plays a decisive role. JUROR #2 is marred by a small excess of foul language, 27 obscenities and profanities, including one “f” word and two strong profanities. So, MOVIEGUIDE® advises a light extreme caution.
READ MORE: JUROR #2 REVIEW
