Just when it looked like studios were going to return to a theatrical window release pattern with the news of today’s Regal and Warner Bros., Disney smashed it to pieces.
Disney said on Tuesday that it will open both of its most important photos of the summer events Cruella and Marvel’s Black widow simultaneously in theaters and at Disney + with Premier Access (which is usually $ 30 per subscriber fee) in most Disney + markets on Friday 28 May and Friday 9 July respectively. It also moved the release dates on five other films.
Just as the good news has spread for the reopening of Los Angeles and New York City, the moves are a sign that the No. 1 studio is not yet confident in the exhibit.
Disney recently shared this with Raya and the last dragon to faint box office results ($ 23.4 million in the first three weekends), and in this morning’s press release stated that the film was a ‘success’ for them without supporting the claim with figures. Cinemark as well as other exhibitors refused to play Raya given Disney’s hard case to them; through the studio taking their two most popular photos to Disney + as well as theaters, it really turns the exhibitors’ arms around. Oy. How could the exhibition refuse to play such titles?
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By the way, Deadline first told you this Cruella was on its way to Disney +, although CEO Bob Chapek mentioned during Disney Investor Day that it was meant to be theatrical.
At the same time, Disney said its summer Pixar movie Luca will stream exclusively to Disney + Homes Worldwide on June 18, which the studio did with Pixar’s Soul over Christmas. In international markets where Disney + is not yet available, Luca theater will be released, with premium dates to be announced.
When we all recently teamed up with Chapek, it was clear that he had a Disney play + release strategy for photos like Black widow.
Before that even happened today, one rival distribution chief predicted that Disney ‘will continue to experiment’.
‘Today’s announcement reflects our focus on consumer choice and serving the evolving preferences of the public. Using a flexible distribution strategy in a dynamic market beginning to recover from the global pandemic, we will continue to use the best options to deliver The Walt Disney Company’s unparalleled storytelling to fans and families around the world. ” said Kareem Daniel, chairman, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution, in a statement.
Here are all the changes Disney announced today:
Black widow on July 9, 2021 (from May 7, 2021)
Free ou on 13 August 2021 (from 21 May 2021)
Shang Chi and the legend of the ten rings on September 3, 2021 (from July 9, 2021)
The King’s Man on December 22, 2021 (from August 20, 2021)
Deep water on 14 January 2022 (from 13 August 2021)
Death on the Nile on 11 February 2022 (from 17 September 2021)