AUSTIN Butler fans have accused movie studios of destroying Hollywood as The Bikeriders heads to streaming platforms just days after the film’s premiere.
The Bikeriders, starring Austin Butler, 32, Jodie Comer, 31, and Tom Hardy, 46, released in theaters on June 21.
The Jeff Nichols-directed crime drama will be available to stream online on Tuesday, July 9, per WhenToStream.
The Bikeriders, inspired by the photo book of the same name by photojournalist Danny Lyon, will be available via Premium Video on Demand through Apple, Amazon, Google, and other VOD providers.
The film, television, and pop culture X, formally Twitter, account Cinema Solace shared the streaming release date with its followers who were disgusted by the lack of patience shown by the movie’s film studio.
The Bikeriders was produced by New Regency and distributed by Focus Features.
“This is just insane and flat out wrong. If a movie doesn’t make bank opening weekend they ship it off to streaming. Sad,” complained one Twitter user.
“This is absurd. 10 days. A movie from Jeff Nichols starring Austin Butler and Tom Hardy. The studios are destroying the theatrical business. Full stop,” tweeted another.
“Why is cinema being so blatantly destroyed like this?” questioned a third.
A fourth commenter flatly remarked, “How to kill an industry.”
An insightful Twitter user reasoned, “Hey, gang. I’m just spitballing here, but maybe it’s not a great idea to train audiences to avoid seeing movies in theaters because they’ll be available on streaming *checks notes* two weeks after their opening weekend? Just a thought!”
The complaints continued to roll in as one person complained, “Just 17 days after its theatrical debut. Wow. What a big mistake for Focus Features.”
“Are you kidding me? Let The Bikeriders have legs at the theater,” pleaded another.
“That’s just ridiculous. It’s barely been a month in theaters and it’s a movie to see IN theaters,” agreed a third.
A fourth begged, “Give us a chance to catch it in theatres.
“I usually go to the movies with someone who often works weekends; I see films second weekend at best.”
“Less than a month after its release date. It’s like studios want their movies to fail at the box office,” admitted a fifth as another complained, “This is messed up. The movie needs a longer theatrical run.”
LONG ROAD
The film was originally scheduled to be released theatrically on December 1, 2023, by 20th Century Studios.
The release was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike and Focus Features eventually acquired the film rights.
The Bikeriders depicts the rise of Chicago’s Vandals Motorcycle Club, a fictionalized version of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club that Danny Lyon documented in his book.
Tom Hardy plays Johnny Davis, the leader of The Vandals who was inspired to create the MC after watching Marlon Brando in The Wild One.
Austin Butler plays Benny Cross, a member of the club who fully embodies the idea of The Wild One, who while loyal to Johnny and the MC, doesn’t want to be controlled by him, the club, or even his wife Kathy.
Jodie Comer plays Kathy Cross and acts as the audience conduit inside the world of motorcycle clubs.
She narrates the story through a series of interviews throughout the film with Danny Lyon, played by Challengers star, Mike Faist, 32.
The remainder of the cast features an ensemble list of actors including Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Damon Harriman, and Boyd Holbrook.
