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Disney+ To Follow HBO Max’s Example; Delivering Films On Dual Releases Simultaneously

Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Disney has now decided to follow its competitive example with a dual release, both on Premier Access and on Theatres with big-budget feature films.

Black Widow is set for a July 9th release, changing its former date to May 7 and will be available on Disney+ for another $30 fee.  The live-action adaption of Cruella is set to be released in the same way too, with a premiere on May 28.

“Today’s announcement reflects our focus on providing consumer choice and serving the evolving preferences of audiences. By leveraging a flexible distribution strategy in a dynamic marketplace that is beginning to recover from the global pandemic, we will continue to employ the best options to deliver The Walt Disney Company’s unparalleled storytelling to fans and families around the world,” said Kareem Daniel, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution chairman.

Bob Chapek, Walt Disney CEO, has also implied that the old tradition for movies delivered in both theatres and in the home is gone by now. This fatal experiment has shown to be lucrative for the business as they keep doing this. DisneyPlus has previously released Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon for an extra cost. Cinema chains like Cinemark has protested for the non-generous terms for Raya, not all clear on how it will playout for the new films. This is a hard hit for all the cinemas that struggles and tries to reopen, therefore the big-budget titles are dependable for their own survival and the box office.

Marvel’s Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has changed its date from July 9 to September 3rd.  Free Guy premieres on August 13th, The King’s Man on December 22, Deepwater on Jan 14, 2022, and Death on the Nile on February 11, 2022.  Black Widow, takes place after Captain America: Civil War (2016) and was directed by Cate Shortland with actors such as Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh and David Harbour and Ray Winston. This is the fifth time Black Widow has been delayed. Marvel has had its success on DisneyPlus,  with WandaVision and the new and latest premiere of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

This will probably not help the cinemas that struggle to re-open, but it remains to see if this option is just temporary or permanent even for next year.

Source: THR.com