Margot Robbie turned down a huge offer from Netflix on her next star vehicle, Wuthering Heights, to ensure a theatrical release. Wuthering Heights has become a hot ticket item in Hollywood, as Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi are set to star in the upcoming adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel of the same name. It will be directed by Emerald Fennell, marking their fourth collaboration together after Robbie produced Fennell’s two previous films, Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, through her production company, Lucky Chap Entertainment. Fennell also had a small role as Midge in Robbie’s 2023-led film Barbie.
Deadline reports that a fierce bidding war broke out between various studios over who would get to distribute Wuthering Heights, and Warner Bros. has won out. Despite Netflix offering the highest bid, rumored to be up to $150 million, Robbie and Fennell were adamant about Wuthering Heights getting a theatrical release, with Netflix prioritizing streaming over theatrical. While Warner Bros Pictures is believed to have paid around half of Netflix’s offer, they won out due to committing to a global theatrical distribution for Wuthering Heights, as well as a proper marketing budget. Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group’s Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy released a statement regarding the deal:
“We are thrilled to partner with MRC, Emerald Fennell, and LuckyChap for this feature film adaptation of Wuthering Heights. From the moment we were introduced to Emerald’s vision for the film, and with an incredible cast led by Margot and Jacob, we were instantly committed to forging a partnership with this team to ensure the movie was brought to theaters around the world.”
Robbie certainly has developed a strong working relationship with Warner Bros. Barbie was not only the studio’s biggest hit of 2023 but is, not adjusted for inflation, the most successful film in the studio’s history. She also played Harley Quinn in three DCEU films: 2016’s Suicide Squad, 2020’s Birds of Prey, and 2021’s The Suicide Squad. Despite the DCU rebooting with James Gunn’s new slate of films, the studio is likely hoping for Robbie to reprise her role as Harley Quinn. Robbie is also set to star in an Ocean’s 11 prequel titled Oceans for Warner Bros., but that project seems to still be in early development. Still, it appears Robbie will stay in the Warner Bros. family.
Netflix vs Theatrical Releases
Robbie’s decision to go with Warner Bros. over Netflix speaks to a few recent stories emerging from Netflix. Greta Gerwig, who directed Robbie’s Barbie film, has been pushing for Netflix to give her upcoming Chronicles of Narnia reboot a theatrical release, but the streamer seems unwilling to budge.
Also, after Knives Out became a surprise hit in 2019, Netflix acquired the distribution rights to two Knives Out sequels. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery was given a one-week theatrical release by Netflix, but the studio refused to extend it. Reportedly, the film’s premiere received a standing ovation, but Netflix’s CEO, Ted Sarandos, was unwilling to budge on a wide theatrical release. To which the film’s star, Daniel Craig, said, “Your model is f—ed.”
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This is the second time Warner Bros. beat out Netflix for a big title by offering a theatrical release, as they famously won the rights to Crazy Rich Asians. Despite Netflix offering the filmmakers a seven-figure deal and guaranteeing a trilogy, the producers opted to go with Warner Bros. because it was important to them to get Asian talent up on the big screen. Crazy Rich Asians became a huge hit in 2018, grossing $239 million against its $30 million budget. While Netflix might be able to offer the filmmakers a big paycheck, for some, it simply doesn’t compare to the pop culture impact of a theatrically released movie.