It’s now official – The LEGO Batman Movie is going to be released in Australia and New Zealand on 30 March 2017, 48 days after the US (and nearly every other country) in the world gets it.
This is not okay.
I’ve been mulling over this post for the last few days, trying to think about the best way to convey how I feel about all of this. If you’ve read my articles on The LEGO Batman Movie, you’d know how excited I am for it.
After all, this feels like history repeating itself, when we experienced the very same delay in 2014 with The LEGO Movie.
It felt like some sort of first world injustice, being made to wait almost 2 months for the movie to release in Australia, especially since the movie had been amassing rave reviews from critics and the LEGO fan community.
Two months is a long time to wait, especially for what is undoubtedly going to one of 2017’s biggest pop culture phenomenons. Mark my words, it’s going to be the best Batman movie ever.
Delays in this day and age are unacceptable. Paraphrasing myself in my open letter to LEGO Australia about LEGO product delays – Australians AND New Zealands are going to be robbed of the opportunity to participate in the global conversation about The LEGO Batman Movie with fans across the world. Robbed.
We are also probably going to have the movie’s plot and funniest scenes spoiled for us as well. And that is not cool.
Why is The LEGO Batman delayed by so much? Well, you have to blame Village Roadshow, the distributors of the film. They’re delaying the movie in Australia to coincide with the school holidays.
I can see it from their perspective: school holidays = more kids screaming for their parents to take them to the cinemas. In their minds, that probably equates to more profit than a February release, when family budgets are still recovering from the Christmas shopping and Summer holidays.
One of the sites I frequent daily (in a professional capacity) is Mumbrella, and I can still remember the day this article went up – where Village Roadshow Graham Burke openly admitted that he/they made a massive mistake releasing The LEGO Movie so late, which caused it to be massively pirated. That equated to about 3.5 – 5 million in lost revenue. He also said that they wouldn’t repeat that mistake again, but hey, here we are.
To be honest, I think that it’s a bullshit number, drummed up to raise the spectre of online piracy. While most media outlets have gone with the piracy angle… it doesn’t add up. Someone who isn’t willing to wait 48 days and is content with downloading a shitty cam version of The LEGO Batman Movie will definitely not be paying $20 to watch it legitimately in a cinema.
I digress. Let’s dial up the #realtalk.
I am unequivocally disappointed, let down and angered by Village Roadshow’s decision to delay The LEGO Batman Movie by 48 days. It’s unacceptable and it’s practically an insult to Australian LEGO and Batman fans who are eager to watch one of the biggest animated movies of 2017.
It may be the millenial in me talking, but I cannot stand waiting almost two months to watch it, knowing full well that my counterparts all over the world get to enjoy it in early February.
What am I doing? Personally, I am going to be boycotting Village Roadshow and The LEGO Batman Movie.
This decision by them is motivated purely by greed, so I’m going to put my money where my mouth is and not give Village Roadshow a single cent at the box office. And hey, I was going to see this movie at least 4 times.
It’s insignificant, and it really hurts me to not watch The LEGO Batman Movie till it comes out on Bluray, but this is something I feel strongly about.
Will I illegally download the movie? Probably not, because I don’t want my first taste of The LEGO Batman Movie to be a substandard shakycam recording. Also, I want to reward the creators (not Village Roadshow), and will eventually buy the DVD/Bluray to support WB.
I don’t expect anyone else to do the same. BUT, if you want to express your disappointment and anger at Village Roadshow, you can join our protest.
Together with some of Australia and New Zealand’s largest LEGO communities, LUGs and RLFMs (Recognised LEGO Fan Media), we’re staging a co-ordinated protest of The LEGO Batman Movie’s delay.
At this stage, we’re unsure if this will even result in anything, but enough is enough and we Australian and NZ LEGO Batman fans are tired of getting shafted time and time again.
Here’s where you come in and how you can help:
1. I’d really love to know what you think of this delay. Please express how you (and your family, if you have young kids) feel about this in the comments section. Each comment will be added into this post to ensure maximum visibility and I want the goons at Village Roadshow to see what LEGO fans think of their decision.
2. We need your support in raising awareness of this protest. If you’re on social media (Instagram/Facebook/Twitter) please join our protest by using the hashtag #SameBatTimeAusNZ in solidarity with us.
Here are Village Roadshow handles to tag/mention:
- Twitter – @RoadshowFilms
- Instagram – @RoadshowFilms and also #RoadShowFilms
- Facebook – Roadshow Films
A bunch of us on Instagram are also protesting by taking photos of how we interpret #SameBatTimeAusNZ in the most creative way possible. Check out some examples by @CheepJokes, @LLWorld, @Harleyquin and @Cityinpieces below. Feel free to repost these photos or take your own.
3. You can also sign the petition that Bricking Around started on change.org to show further solidary with LEGO fans Down Under.
What, you may ask are we hoping to achieve with this? The perfect scenario would be to of course to get Village Roadshow to shift the opening date to early February in line with everyone else in the world.
The media attention that this issue has been receiving sure does help, but at the same time, I don’t have especially high expectations that Village Roadshow will change their minds.
I do hope to see a strong, unified and vocal show of support from Australian and Kiwi LEGO fans in expressing their disappointment in Village Roadshow’s shoddy decision to delay The LEGO Batman Movie.
This is the perfect opportunity to prove that we aren’t just a vocal minority but there is widespread demand for an early LEGO Batman Movie release.
Which brings me to what I think is the most realistic and desireable outcome out of this protest.
I don’t think it’s too much to ask for Village Roadshow to hold several limited screenings to give LEGO and Batman fans the chance to enjoy The LEGO Batman Movie at the same time as the rest of the world, ahead of a wider Australian release in March to hit the school holiday crowd.
Village Roadshow, if you do that, you can bet your ass that I will watch the movie not just once, not twice but multiple times during each screening window.
If you’re a new, old, casual reader, I implore you to help support our protest in any way.
Please. It will make a huge difference to all of us here in Australia and New Zealand.
Thank you in advance for all your support.
Ah get over it
Stop raving on like a spoilt brat
Thanks for taking the time out of your day to hurl insults my way. I hope this has been a productive exercise for you.
I totally agree with this and it goes for most movies/tv shows and even lego sets the main reason most movie companies do it is because they believe it builds hype, its shown to a big group of people and the positive responses are then advertised in Australia, however this “ginipig” marketing tactic not expectable in this day and age especially if it’s to do with the corresponding holidays, it’s not like the movie won’t be on during the holidays.
Also the internet, which Village Roadshow completely don’t seem to understand.
This is so ridiculous. I avoided social media the week before BvS so it wouldn’t be spoiled for me. And now I’m expected to avoid all forms of media for an additional 48 days to make sure it won’t be spoiled?! Ridiculous
It’s going to be near impossible to avoid spoilers.
Booo! :'( I live in NZ and i wanted to see this… gah! Was looking forward to February.
Seriously, how the [censored] can they do this?
Because $$$
Very true. Haha. And yet, not funny.
“Everything is money!”
“Everything is money!” – that’s hilarious! Totally stealing this!
Well this sucks, will I see it, maybe but likely not if the US blurry will be out a month later ala The Lego Movie. And you can guarantee that either way, village Australia won’t get my bluray dollars
Same, I’m going to import my copy too.
Utter disgrace. I saw this info (AU release date) a month ago and hoped it wasn’t true. Now my worst fears have been confirmed. Honestly, this stinks as being part of the Eurobricks Movie/set discussion, I will receive countless spoilers. In fact, I will post this link in the forum, so hopefully others will support it.
Just give me a couple of hours.
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/125480-the-lego-batman-movie/&page=13
http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?/forums/topic/143240-the-lego-batman-movie-setcmf-rumors-discussion/&page=244
Thank you for sharing!
It’s absolutely terrible. I happily signed that petition. Are they going to delay the sets aswell to coincide with the film’s release?
Thank you. The sets should be out sometime in February 2017 in retail stores but they will be available for purchase on LEGO.com from 1 January 2017.
This is very disappointing. I already signed the petition, but am seriously considering a boycott till DVD release now. The frustrating thing IS, WB previously recognised the problem with releasing it late. **sigh**
Thank you! I’m going to import my DVD, purely so Village Roadshow won’t get to attribute a single cent from me.
Why not raise this with Lego as well. Surely they have some say in the matter. It is, after all, their name they’re putting on this movie.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they have much of a say since they probably just licensed their IP to Warner Bros to make the movie.
LEGO are getting slammed on social media for the Australian release date: https://www.facebook.com/LEGOAustralia/photos/a.1108944629176871.1073741828.1104984436239557/1298939570177375/?type=3&comment_id=1299220596815939&ref=notif¬if_t=like¬if_id=1481796068115871
Good to see the dissatisfaction not just contained here!
I’m incredibly disappointed too. I’d have been there on opening night with my husband and 3 kids, regardless of school the next day – that’s how excited we all are about this movie. We’d have seen it again on the following weekend, but now will wait until the DVD is released.
I’ve signed the petition and will be hoping they change their mind.
Thank you, Naomi. It just sucks being on the short end of the stick yet again. Especially after getting burned with The LEGO Movie.
Duncan raised a really good point – they’re releasing it in the US (and nearly everywhere else) during the school year. I also think that they don’t fully understand the show’s appeal – that it’s not JUST for kids.
I’m so disappointed for all the Australian LEGO fans! It’s gotta suck getting delayed releases of sets and you movies come later.
I’d love to join the protest, but I promised my little brother I would take him.
I seriously don’t see the need to release it in Australia 48 days later to coincide with school breaks. They are releasing it in the U.S. during our school year? It does seem like a greedy choice, or they want to make as much money as possible from a smaller market.
No it’s okay, you go and enjoy the movie. I’m sure it’ll be awesome. Just don’t spoil it for me, hah!
You raised a very excellent point. It just seems like the US fim distributors have their heads switched on. Cinemas are going to be packed.
Also… it boggles the mind that Village Roadshow doesn’t capitalise on all the buzz and hype generated by worldwide marketing. All the trailers being released on Youtube, and strong word of mouth from film critics and reviewers will probably all be forgotten come March 30.
When the Lego Movie came out, I was still in my Dark Ages. Since then, my young son and I have embraced Lego with both tiny, claw-shaped hands. I was greatly looking forward to watching this movie at the cinema, with this being the first movie I would have ever taken him to. Now? Just dunno anymore.
Fact is, we probably will go. And buy the sets – because we love it. However, it kind of sours this thing that you love so much.
I’ve already noticed it happening – the late set releases and ever-higher prices have caused me to buy just a fraction of the 2H16 sets. If we kept getting treated like this, I can see this continuing to happen.
Yup, you nailed how I feel about it. I don’t really envy parents that have to tell their kids that they have to wait… when they start watching or reading about the movie online.
To be fair, I do think LEGO is getting slightly better with set release dates. For example, we got the newest wave of Star Wars (Rogue One) sets earlier than everywhere else in the world!
SO. LAME.
Village Roadshow always hold back films…or that time they didnt release the Escape Plan with Arnie and Sly and instead showed the Justin Bieber movie, which tanked.
This isnt 1996 anymore. We wont put up with this rubbish.
Maybe our feeble broadband network takes forever for them to send the digital files over /s
It’s just stupid to have a Lego Movie out in April (the 30th of March might as well be April for how close to the end of the month it is) but have the sets sitting on store shelves gathering dust for 3 to 4 months until the movie releases. Kids aren’t going to buy a set and say “I’m going to watch this movie in 3 months therefore I buy this toy now”, or “this toy has been out for 3 months, I’ve seen it before, but now I want to buy it after having seen the movie” they’ll want to say “I loved watching this movie therefore I will buy the brand new toy”. Kids love what’s new, and they love toys of their favourite movie character, but if the toy is something old they’ve seen before they would rather get the new toys from whatever Dreamworks or Disney has out, because it’s newer and fresher.
What I’m saying is this decision is bad both in terms of product marketing and box office success.
Exactly, but I think LEGO’s hands are tied in this case, seeing as how they don’t fully own The LEGO Batman Movie – they’ve only licensed the use of their IP.
It’s definitely a very short-sighted move.
Signed and shared. Very eloquently put Jay.
#SAMEBATTIMEAUSNZ
Thank you, Mark 🙂
What a joke!!
Jokes on us, but I ain’t laughing.
Disgraceful! A very sad state of affairs. They’re probably looking at HALF A’ BILLION $USD at the box office regardless of when they release the film. It just sickens me to think that in this day and age, a company like ‘Village Roadshow’, who many support and praise as being ‘one of the good guys’ of the movie industry, let themselves down so badly.
Shame on you, Village Roadshow! bad form.
It’s just greed, pure and simple. Yet, Village Roadshow will definitely have a whinge this year about how “piracy” is hurting them. Piracy will always be an easy target for them to blame, but of course they won’t take things like expensive ticket prices into account.
Agree, not impressed at all. Waiting that time period is ridiculous and unfair.
Yup. Such shortsightedness and greed.
Here here. I’ll be waiting for the DVD! Off to sign the petition now.
Thanks!
Wow. You guys are always left on the dust. That’s just mean.
As a Canadian and fellow reader, you have my support! I hope you guys get the viewing time you all deserve!
Good luck, guys!
Yup, the worst part is that this is history repeating themselves. Thanks for your support! Not only do you guys have a cool president, but you’re also pretty stand-up people!
Why thank you! But we just call him a prime minister.
Wish he was my prime minister.
…Of course, knowing me, a nerd, I might go see it when it comes out. Hopefully, that’ll be the same day you all see it.
But if this doesn’t work, I won’t spoil a thing. Promise.
You’re a top bloke 🙂
The did the math on the LEGO Movie. They made more money by holding it back for the holidays than they lost to piracy. Don’t hold your breath…