Legendary Entertainment, the studio behind hit science fiction films like Dune and the Godzilla-focused MonsterVerse, have cut ties with Warner Bros. and entered a film distribution deal with Sony Pictures. Legendary has found major success in their major franchises over the last few years, with such films as Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong garnering major box office success, despite being released during the Covid-19 pandemic. While much of the company's recent success relies on their popular sci-fi film franchises, they also produce Netflix's popular Enola Holmes film series, underscoring just how much potential Legendary has in the modern film industry.

Legendary Entertainment has announced they are taking that potential to Sony, moving largely away from Warner Bros. in the process with a new deal. While select films like Dune: Part Two will still be distributed worldwide by WB, the rest of their other future film releases will be distributed and marketed by Sony instead. Legendary CEO Joshua Grode underscored how this new partnership between Legendary and Sony would assist the company with their goals for theatrical distribution. Check out what Grode had to say about the deal below:

Sony’s commitment to theatrical distribution aligns with our vision of how to best derive the most value for Legendary’s movies. The incredible slate of movies that Mary Parent has amassed are built for the theatrical experience, and we are excited about our partnership with Sony for this next phase of Legendary’s growth. We are also grateful to Warner Bros. Pictures who has been a valuable partner to Legendary over many years, and we look forward to continuing our work with the talented executives at Warner/Discovery.
Why Legendary Is Moving Away From Warner Bros.


Legendary's decision to move away from Warner Bros. has been something the company has considered since late 2020. Legendary and WB were embroiled in a public conflict back in 2020 because of the latter's decision to release all of the former's productions from 2021 on HBO Max at the same time as in theaters that year. Because of the simultaneous distribution of major films like Godzilla vs. Kong on streaming services and in theaters, the production company may have feared their big-budget films wouldn't be able to make back the large amount of money spent on producing them.

Luckily for Legendary, both of their 2021 films - Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong - were massive hits at the box office despite low performances that year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dune earned $401 million worldwide against a $165 million budget, while Godzilla vs. Kong garnered $468 million off an estimated $200 million budget. While both films did end up earning money for Legendary, there's still the possibility that, if they hadn't been released on HBO Max at the same time, more people would have attended screenings in theaters instead of subscribing to Warner Bros'. streaming service.

What A Sony Partnership Means For Godzilla vs Kong 2 & Dune 2


As stated in the report, Dune: Part Two will still be distributed by Warner Bros. when the film comes out in late 2023. The untitled sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong was also planned to be distributed by Warner Bros., a distribution deal that will likely be honored even with the film slated for release in March 2024. While the effects of Legendary's shift away from their partnership with Warner Bros. and new deal with Sony may not be felt right away, the move acts as finality for the studio's feud with Warner Bros. about the company's film distribution practices.