There is little doubt that some fans were happy about The Matrix Resurrections being released on HBO Max since it meant they could watch the film in their own homes. However, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group isn't exactly pleased with the decision to give the highly anticipated sequel a digital release on the same day as its theatrical premiere. The company has just filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros. for the film's streaming release.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Village Roadshow Entertainment Group filed the lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday. The new lawsuit purports that releasing The Matrix Resurrections in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously was a breach of contract on Warner Bros. Pictures' part.
Village Roadshow and Warner Bros. has a long working relationship. However, the suit claims Warner Bros.'s actions were part of an effort by the studio "to eviscerate the significant value of Village Roadshow's intellectual property in order to prop up the new HBO Max streaming service."
In addition to all this, reporter Joe Flint tweeted that "Village Roadshow claims Warner is trying to cut them out of future projects that they have rights to be involved in." Flint further adds that "the relationship has gone south under new management at WarnerMedia and Warner Bros."
There is little doubt that The Matrix Resurrections would have fared better at the box office if it was given an exclusive theatrical release. In addition to that, Village Roadshow is not the only one who was unhappy about their project getting a same-day digital release. Denis Villeneuve has been vocal about his disappointment that Dune was made available on HBO Max.
Warner Bros. has not yet issued a statement about the lawsuit. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
Related: Where to Watch and Stream THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS Free Online - FEBRUARY 2022
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