>>280302057
>There is no solid evidence to suggest that being true at all.
lmao. Go ask any theater owner or distributor: runtime is literally baked into box office projections
Longer runtimes = fewer screenings = less revenue potential PER SCREEN. That's basic theater math, not a conspiracy or some headcanon
You think cinemas can just stretch time to fit more 3-hour movies in a day ?

Want proof ? Here's your 'proof'
Mugen Train vs Infinity Castle (by runtime)
>Mugen Train: 117 minutes = 5-6 showings/day
>Infinity Castle: 155 minutes = 3 showings/day
That's a potential 40% reduction in daily ticket sales per screen just by runtime alone

Want more 'proof' ?
Oppenheimer had a massive opening, but IMAX chains openly said its 3-hour length limited its number of daily showings. That was Christopher Nolan, with huge prestige and anticipation.
Now imagine Infinity Castle, with anime-tier pacing, no finale payoff, and being only Part 1
Theaters want turnover. If a movie makes them less per screen-hour, they give it fewer screens or worse time slots over time. That's not an opinion, that's how exhibition economics works