Ben Affleck’s newest movie, the basketball film The Way Back, was only just recently released in theatres, but Warner Bros. has now confirmed it’s coming to home video sooner than expected.
In the wake of ongoing concerns about COVID-19 (coronavirus), Warner Bros. is releasing the film through digital stores beginning on March 24 for $20 USD. A rental option is expected to come later. March 24 is the same day that Warner Bros. is bringing Birds of Prey to home video to buy.
Affleck plays a man battling with alcoholism who coaches a struggling high school basketball team and helps himself and the team find … the way back. It came to theatres on March 6 and made $13.6 million in the US. However, with nearly 5,000 US theatres now closed, and similar closures throughout the globe, Warner Bros. is making the decision to release the movie where people are: at home.
“With audiences largely unable to view films in theatrical release under current circumstances, we have decided to provide the alternative of early digital ownership of our currently released titles to people looking for great entertainment options,” Warner Bros. executive Toby Emmerich said in a statement (via Deadline). “So, while we remain big fans of the theatrical experience and hope audiences are able to return to cinemas in the near future, we understand that these are challenging times and offering this option simply makes sense.”
The Way Back is directed by Gavin O’Connor, who previously directed Affleck in The Accountant. It’s written by Brad Ingelsby, who wrote Out of the Furnance starring Affleck’s brother, Casey Affleck. The Way Back also stars Janina Gavankar, who played Star Wars: Battlefront II protagonist Iden Versio.
The next big Warner Bros. movie, Wonder Woman 1984, remains on schedule to hit theatres in June, though of course, plans could change depending on how the COVID-19 situation develops.