|
 Theater operators had been
hoping that "Black Widow," starring Scarlett
Johansson as the Russian-born
spy-turned-superhero, would kick off a summer
blockbuster season in early May and draw crowds
back to theaters after extended closures due to
the coronavirus pandemic.
Shares of AMC Entertainment, the world's largest
cinema operator, slumped 16% after the
announcement.
Disney also said it would offer live-action
movie "Cruella" for a fee to Disney+ customers
on the same day it hits cinemas, which is
scheduled for May 28, and that Pixar animated
movie "Luca" would skip most theaters and debut
to all Disney+ subscribers on June 18.
The Pixar film will play in theaters only in
international markets that do not yet have
access to Disney+. The service is available in
much of the world but has just begun rolling out
in Asia.
"Cruella" and "Black Widow" will cost Disney+
customers an additional $30 each to stream at
home.
"Today’s announcement reflects our focus on
providing consumer choice and serving the
evolving preferences of audiences," Kareem
Daniel, chairman of Disney Media & Entertainment
Distribution, said in a statement.
The company delayed a handful of other films,
including Marvel film "Shang Chi and the Legend
of the Ten Rings," which is now set to reach
theaters on Sept. 3 instead of July 9.
[to top of second column]
|
 Movie theater executives had
been encouraged by recent cinema reopenings in
Los Angeles and New York City, the two biggest
moviegoing markets in the United States, and an
increase in vaccinations across the country.
But Disney's changes are likely to dent box
office sales during the summer as some
moviegoers opt to watch "Black Widow" or "Cruella"
at home, and in most cases will not have a
chance to see the latest Pixar film in theaters.
The next big-budget action movie on theaters'
summer schedule is "Fast & Furious" movie "F9,"
from Comcast Corp's Universal Pictures, on June
25.
The shifts are among several changes Hollywood
studios have tested during the pandemic.
AT&T Inc's Warner Bros. is offering all of its
2021 theatrical films on the HBO Max streaming
service on the same day.
On Tuesday, Cineworld Plc announced that Warner
Bros. had agreed to a more traditional release
pattern in 2022 of showing movies only in
theaters for a time, though the exclusive window
will be shortened to as little as 31 days in
Britain and 45 days in the United States.
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine)
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