Janelle Monae's 'Antebellum' Heading To VOD September 18

Lionsgate announced today that the Janelle Monae-led film "Antebellum" will skip U.S theaters and go straight to streaming on-demand beginning September 18. According to the statement made by the studio, the film will be available to stream on all platforms and will receive a limited theatrical release in select international markets. 

The film—which was originally slated for an August 21 release—is being helmed by first-time directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz along with QT Entertainment (of "Get Out" and "Blackkklansman" fame) producing. Bush and Renz made the following statement.

"While we designed 'Antebellum' to be consumed as a communal experience in the theater, we are thrilled by the unique opportunity we have to pivot to a different kind of communal moment in our culture. As we face the realities of systemic racism in our country, which have crescendoed to this current inflection point in 2020, we understand how imperative it is to bring 'Antebellum' to the broadest audience possible, while also prioritizing health and safety. It is our ardent hope that by sharing our film widely, both nationally and internationally, we will transform the moviegoing experience from home into a true event."

Many studios are running into a similar crossroads when trying to decide to either indefinitely postpone the release of their films or opt for going directly to streaming. Christopher Nolan has been the most controversial figure in this race as Warner Bros. teeters back and forth with deciding when and how to release his highly anticipated thriller, "Tenet." Lionsgate stated that given the themes of the film—in which Monae plays an author named Veronica Henley, who gets trapped in the antebellum period—that this "positions the studio to take advantage of different distribution strategies." It also presents the opportunity to "create a release plan that reaches as wide an audience as possible, as soon as possible."

Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake added,

"While the theatrical experience will always be the heart of our business, we are thrilled that we are able to seize the opportunity to match Gerard and Chris's urgent and immediate film with a release strategy befitting this moment of extraordinary change. Gerard and Chris are storytellers whose work beats with authenticity – not only will this film entertain and thrill audiences worldwide, but spark a discussion about our current world."

With drive-in theaters only being common in major U.S. cities, streaming platforms have soared in popularity during the pandemic. Animated films have been among some of the most popular titles to go to streaming as it benefits many of the families at home. Still, the decision to release an original and socially relevant film like "Antebellum" may inspire other filmmakers to try their hand in the at-home market.

Check out the final trailer for “Antebellum” below.