Warner Bros. Discovery has been quietly purging Warner Bros. titles from HBO Max over the last few weeks, Variety reports.
According to the outlet, the following six “Max Original” streaming-exclusive movies were removed from the streaming platform: Moonshot starring Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse, Superintelligence with Melissa McCarthy, The Witches 2020 remake featuring Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Rock, Seth Rogen’s An American Pickle, Locked Down with Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and drama Charm City Kings. Not spotted among these names but also cut was LeBron James’ and Maverick Carter’s SpringHill-led House Party remake that was originally set to come out at the end of July.
It’s also being reported that several other television titles and movies are slated to be pulled from the streamer as well in the coming weeks.
A source close to the situation told Indiewire that the six Max Originals are just the beginning of a long list of other titles set to be removed from the platform because of the potential tax write-off the company could receive. Meanwhile, the Wrap reports that 70 percent of the HBO Max development team is expected to be laid off.
“All I know is they’re folding HBO Max into HBO. Sounds like they’re not doing HBO Max scripted shows anymore with HBO taking over, so less scripted shows overall,” a source told the outlet.
The news also follows Warner Bros. shocking decision to axe the $90 million Batgirl movie that was meant for the streamer.