Like much of the film industry, the entertainment giant appears to be keeping an open mind as to its long-term strategy in the Covid-era
As cinema-goers watched the premiere of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Hollywood giant Walt Disney Co said, before being made available for streaming, the rest of its 2021 films will screen exclusively in cinemas. Owners of entertainment venues are jubilant as during the pandemic, movies were debuting online at the same time as in theatres. Marvel’s Eternals is among the films that will get a theatrical debut.
Ten Rings is being made available exclusively in cinemas for its first 45 days, before hitting the streaming platform. However, the entertainment giant, like much of the film industry, appears to be keeping an open mind as to its long-term strategy in the Covid-era.
Eternals, directed by Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao, will use the same release schedule as Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story.
Animated musical Encanto will be in theatres for 30 days, starting around the Thanksgiving holiday in November, before moving online.
In contrast, all of Disney’s recent releases – like Jungle Cruise, Black Widow and Cruella – have seen dual release in theatres and on Disney Plus Premier Access
It may be recalled that actress Scarlett Johansson sued Disney over their decision not to theatrically release Black Widow exclusively in cinemas. After an initial strong opening weekend, box office sales fell sharply, leading Johansson’s team to claim that Disney’s decision led to a loss in income for her. Disney said it had “fully complied” with her contract and that her case had “no merit whatsoever”. The lawsuit is ongoing.
Since Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – given a cinema-only release – has made one of the strongest box office openings of the pandemic, it raises questions over release strategies as Black Widow, saw box office takings plummet in its second week.
Shang-Chi is Marvel’s first MCU film led by an Asian superhero, sees Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu in the title role.
In contrast, all of Disney’s recent releases – like Jungle Cruise, Black Widow and Cruella – have seen dual release in theatres and on Disney Plus Premier Access.
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