Having a more difficult time getting viewers out to theaters, movie studios want to get their films into homes faster. Theaters aren’t happy with plans to subvert the traditional theatrical window, and the conflict is coming to a head with the Ben Stiller comedy Tower Heist, due out in theaters Nov. 4 and slated to go on demand three weeks later. Some theater owners, including mega-chain Cinemark, are protesting the quickie on-demand plan by refusing to show the film unless the studio changes its plans.

The president of Galaxy Theatres, owner of 106 screens in the West, talks tough to the L.A. Times:

“We just feel it’s a time to draw a line in the sand. This is virtually a simultaneous release that we don’t think will be helpful to anyone. We’re standing on principle that it’s best to preserve the theatrical window.”

Universal Pictures plans to offer the movie for $59.99 to viewers in Portalnd, Ore. and Atlanta three weeks after it opens.

More theaters threaten to hold up Universal movie ‘Tower Heist’ [L.A. Times via Deadline]

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