London, Oct 7: Giant Theater circuit Cinemark has said it won't carry Brett Ratner's action-comedy 'Tower Heist' if the studio moves ahead with a controversial premium VOD test that would make the film available in homes for $59.99 three weeks after its Nov. 4 release.
Cinemark has told Universal it won't carry the film in any of its theaters if the studio goes forward with a premium VOD test.
Cinemark, the country's third-largest circuit, issued the warning one day after Universal and parent company Comcast announced the premium VOD test.
Tower Heist will be offered to roughly 500,000 Comcast digital subscribers in Atlanta and Portland for a pricey $59.99.
"Cinemark has urged Universal Pictures to reconsider its market test of this product," Cinemark said in a statement.
"If Universal Pictures moves forward with its Tower Heist premium video-on-demand offering, as announced, Cinemark has determined, in its best business interests, that it will decline to exhibit this film in its theaters."
Tower Heist -- starring Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy and Matthew Broderick -- opens in theaters Nov. 4.
This means it will be available on premium VOD over the Thanksgiving weekend .
Universal had no comment. It's not clear yet where AMC Entertainment and Regal Entertainment stand on the issue. If other chains take the same stance and boycott the film, Universal could be forced to reconsider the test.
Ratner was not involved in Universal's decision. In April, he was among a number of high-profile directors opposing a 60-day premium VOD test.
