With all the spring 2020 theatrical films getting release dates for later this year or 2021, we’re beginning to get a better idea of what is going to happen with the features that are being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while we’ve hard from studios such as Disney, Sony, Universal, Paramount, and more, there was one fairly big film that we still didn’t know what was happening with, “My Spy.” Well, it appears that the delayed comedy isn’t getting a new theatrical release date at all, thanks to Amazon.
READ MORE: Dave Bautista Calls Out A “Judgmental Prick” For Comparing ‘My Spy’ To ‘Kindergarten Cop’
According to Deadline, Amazon has picked up the distribution rights to the upcoming family comedy, “My Spy,” starring Dave Bautista, and is forgoing a theatrical release in favor of a straight-to-streaming plan. There’s no steaming date, as of now, but “My Spy” will make its debut on Amazon Prime Video instead of on the big screen, following in the footsteps of delayed films such as “The Lovebirds” and “Artemis Fowl,” which also will debut on streaming services.
“My Spy” tells the story of CIA operative (Bautista) that finds himself teaming up with a 9-year-old girl while he’s tasked with surveilling her family. The film was originally scheduled for a 2019 release but was pushed back to March 2020. Then with the COVID-19 pandemic, STX Entertainment pushed it further to April 17. Now, it appears that the studio is just willing to cut its losses and send the film to Amazon. “My Spy” did hit Canada in early-March, earning $200,000. But that hardly counts as a theatrical distribution.
READ MORE: Bob Iger Says “A Few More” Disney Theatrical Films Could Be Sent Straight To Streaming
As mentioned, “My Spy” joins recent films “The Lovebirds” and “Artemis Fowl” on the straight-to-streaming route. The Kumail Nanjiani/Issa Rae comedy, “The Lovebirds” had an April release set before it was shipped off to Netflix, with “Artemis Fowl” landing on Disney+ after the Mouse House rescheduled most of its 2020/2021 schedule, leaving the fantasy film without a solid date for theatrical distribution.
It’s clear that this pandemic has left studios in a bit of a predicament with mid-budget films. We’ll have to see if others will follow suit, going straight to streaming instead of risking a long delay and a possibly over-saturated theatrical environment.
