Entertainment
‘Wonder Woman 1984’ to Debut in Theaters and on HBO Max
Published
5 years agoon
LOS ANGELES, Cal. (AP) – “Wonder Woman 1984” isn’t skipping theaters or moving to 2021, but it is altering course. The last big blockbuster holdout of 2020 is still opening in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day but it will also be made available to HBO Max subscribers free of charge for its first month, Warner Bros. said Wednesday.
The film will also debut in international theaters on Dec. 16.
“As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO of WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group in a statement.
After the first month for free on HBO Max, “Wonder Woman 1984” will play in theaters for an additional few weeks before being made available for rental on demand.
It is an unprecedented strategy for a film of its size, but a sign of the extraordinary measures that many Hollywood studios have had to resort to in the COVID 19-era. Most major films that had been set for 2020 have either delayed theatrical releases until 2021 or sent them to streaming platforms for a premium rental price, as the Walt Disney Co. did with “Mulan.”
Audiences have not been going back to the theaters in significant numbers since they began to reopen across the country in late August. Warner Bros. tested the waters early with Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” which was the first big movie to open in theaters after six months of being closed, but it didn’t do pre-pandemic numbers in the U.S., where theaters were still closed in major markets like Los Angeles and New York. Competitors took note. Most studios decided at that point to push their biggest films, from the James Bond film “No Time to Die” to “West Side Story” and “Black Widow,” to next year. Warner Bros. also sent its next big film, “The Witches” straight to HBO Max, which parent company Warner Media launched earlier this year.
Although new films are being released weekly in theaters where open, exhibitors are struggling and have been desperate for government assistance and a steady stream of blockbusters to populate their screens.
“Wonder Woman 1984” is a major tentpole for Warner Bros. The first film made over $821 million globally in 2017 and this sequel which brings back director Patty Jenkins and star Gal Gadot has been hotly anticipated, not only by fans, but by theaters owners too. Recent spikes in the coronavirus across the country have prompted some areas to close indoor theaters again.
Jenkins wrote about the decision on Twitter.
“At some point you have to choose to share any love and joy you have to give, over everything else,” she wrote. “We love our movie as we love our fans, so we truly hope that our film brings a little bit of joy and reprieve to you all this holiday season.”
Warner Media CEO Jason Killar said that they will be measuring the performance of the film in “an entirely new way.”
“A little over four million fans in the U.S. enjoyed the first Wonder Woman movie on its opening day in 2017. Is it possible for that to happen again this Christmas with Wonder Woman 1984 between theaters and HBO Max?” Killar wrote Wednesday. “We are so excited to find out, doing everything in our power to provide the power of choice to fans.”
Entertainment
WATCH: FNN News Podcast en Español, Tuesdays at 6:30pm EST
Published
1 month agoon
January 8, 2026By
Willie DavidCentral Florida News
“Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” Brings Diversity and Magic to Orlando’s Holiday Stage
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025By
Willie DavidORLANDO, Fla. (FNN ARTS & CULTURE) – Orlando Community Arts, Inc. proudly presents “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker,” an original adaptation of the classic Nutcracker story written by Beverly Page, published author and executive producer. This vibrant holiday production brings the magic of the season to life while celebrating the cultural diversity that defines Central Florida.
Audiences are invited to join Clare on a magical journey through her enchanting dream, traveling alongside the Chocolate Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy around the world — from Africa and Asia to the Caribbean, India, and beyond — before reaching the dazzling Kingdom of Toys.
Described as soulful, bold, colorful, exciting, lively, and delightful, “Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker” offers an unforgettable holiday experience for the entire family — filled with music, dance, and cultural storytelling that capture the heart of the season.
About Steglich Ross and Associates
Steglich Ross and Associates, based in Apopka, Florida, are premier experts in crafting and executing large-scale events that elevate brands and inspire audiences. The firm specializes in festival planning, marketing strategy, brand development, and creative web design, offering personalized solutions that help clients connect with their communities in meaningful ways.
Entertainment
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams: Defying Limits and Redefining Possibility
Published
3 months agoon
November 6, 2025ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – When you hear the word “disability,” it’s easy to imagine limits, restrictions, and barriers. But for Jeffery Lorenzo Williams, those words have no place in his vocabulary. Paralyzed at 13, Williams identifies as a person of determination — a term that reflects strength and capability, not limitation. His life has become a masterclass in turning adversity into empowerment, proving that the most powerful movement begins in the mind.
During an exclusive interview with FNN News, Williams reflected on the event that changed his life and the mindset that carried him forward.
“I never focused on what I couldn’t do,” Williams said. “I focused on what I could and I just kept moving forward.”
That perspective has shaped a career defined by reinvention. Today, Williams is an accomplished New York City real estate broker, motivational author, pilot, and footwear designer. Each title tells part of the same story — one of perseverance, creativity, and purpose.
Through his footwear brand JLorenzo’s, Williams designs adaptive sneakers that merge fashion with motivation. His collections feature empowering inscriptions such as “Be somebody nobody thought you could be.” He laughs as he recalls me being his first customer. “Each inscription represents walking not just physically, but walking in purpose,” he said.
His work has not only built a stylish, inclusive brand but has also redefined what representation in fashion can look like. Earlier this year, Williams brought that message to Daniel’s Leather’s Inclusive Fashion Show during New York Fashion Week 2025, joining nearly 40 wheelchair-using models, including Ms. Wheelchair America 2026, Latavia Sturdivant. The event was more than a showcase — it was a celebration of visibility and empowerment. “The energy was incredible,” Williams said. “It wasn’t about being different, it was about being seen.”
Beyond fashion, Williams takes his passion for breaking barriers to the skies. As a licensed pilot, he flies glider planes, something he calls the ultimate expression of freedom.
“Flying gives me freedom,” he said. “It’s proof that even when life grounds you, you can still soar.”
His memoir, “My Feet Are Off the Ground: Turning Tragedy Into Triumph,” chronicles his remarkable journey from paralysis to success. Proceeds from the book fund nursing scholarships, extending his lifelong commitment to giving back. Looking ahead, Williams plans to bring his story to new audiences through a documentary and a stage play, with his son, Jeff Jr., potentially portraying him on screen.
When asked if he would change his past, Williams paused thoughtfully before answering.
“Of course, I’d love to walk,” he said. “But if I hadn’t gone through what I did, I wouldn’t have been able to touch and change lives the way I have. That’s worth more than anything.”
Jeffery Lorenzo Williams doesn’t just live with determination — he embodies it. Through his work, his story, and his example, he continues to challenge the world’s perception of ability. His life is a vivid reminder that real barriers often exist only where others place them, and that courage, when paired with purpose, can truly move mountain.
In a world quick to define people by their obstacles, Jeffery Lorenzo Williams is a compelling reminder that true limitation exists only where we allow it.
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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com