Just when it looked like the studios were returning to a theatrical showcase launch pattern with today’s news about the deal between Regal and Warner Bros.
Disney said on Tuesday that it is opening the two photos of the main summer events Cruella and Marvel Black Widow simultaneously in theaters and at Disney + with Premier Access (which is usually $ 30 extra to purchase for subscribers) in most Disney + markets on Friday, May 28 and Friday, July 9, respectively. He also changed the release dates for five other films.
As soon as the good news was spreading for the reopening of Los Angeles and New York, the changes are a sign that Studio No. 1 still does not believe in the exhibition.
Disney tried this recently with Raya and the Last Dragon to mediocre box office results ($ 23.4 million for the first three weekends), and in this morning’s press release it is stating that the film was a “success” for them, without supporting the claim with numbers. Cinemark, as well as other exhibitors refused to play Raya given Disney’s tough deal with them; due to the fact that the studio takes its two most valuable photos to Disney + and also to theaters, this really twists the arms of the exhibitors. Oy. How could the exhibit refuse to display such titles?
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By the way, Deadline said first that Cruella was going to Disney +, although during Disney Investor Day, CEO Bob Chapek mentioned that the intention was to go to the movies.
At the same time, Disney said its Pixar summer movie Luca will be broadcast exclusively to Disney + homes worldwide on June 18, which is what the studio did with Soul at Christmas. In international markets where Disney + is not yet available, Luca will be released in theaters, with opening dates to be announced.
If we were all listed close to Chapek recently, it was clear that he was indicating a strategy for launching Disney + in theaters for photos like Black Widow.
Even before that happened today, a rival distribution chief predicted that Disney “would continue to experiment.”
“Today’s announcement reflects our focus on providing options to the consumer and meeting the evolving preferences of the public. By leveraging a flexible distribution strategy in a dynamic market that is starting to recover from the global pandemic, we will continue to employ the best options to deliver unparalleled stories from The Walt Disney Company to fans and families around the world, ”said Kareem Daniel, President, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, in a statement.
Here are all the changes to the theatrical release dates that Disney announced today:
Black Widow on July 9, 2021 (as of May 7, 2021)
Free face on August 13, 2021 (as of May 21, 2021)
Shang Chi and the legend of the ten rings on September 3, 2021 (as of July 9, 2021)
The king’s man on December 22, 2021 (as of August 20, 2021)
Deep waters on January 14, 2022 (as of August 13, 2021)
Death on the Nile on February 11, 2022 (as of September 17, 2021)