When the COVID-19 pandemic began to really affect the film industry, most people were concerned about what all these film delays would mean for the summer movie season this year. Instead, what they should have been worried about is not just 2020 but also 2021 and beyond, as film releases have been delayed and a majority of feature productions have been suspended for the foreseeable future. And according to the CEO of Cinemark, Mark Zoradi, he doesn’t think the theatrical release business will be back to normal for almost two years.
READ MORE: Cinemark CEO Says WB Is “Optimistic” That ‘Tenet’ Will Open In July
Speaking to investors during a recent quarterly results call (via Deadline), Zoradi talked about the future of the film exhibition business as it relates to cinema chains and Hollywood studios. And while he is currently dealing with an issue where his theater locations aren’t open, Zoradi is also concerned with the future.
“The reality is I don’t think we’re going to be able to get into a full-on rhythm again of product cycles and all that we had prior to COVID-19 until 2022,” the Cinemark CEO said. “That’s more production-related than our operation-related because as studios have had to adapt to not being able to do filming and do post-production, they’ve had to move their schedules. Therefore, we’re going to adapt as well.”
The domino effect in regards to theatrical releasing began with the delay of many spring/summer films to the fall and others into 2021. But it really took hold when the production of a variety of major studio films was halted, with no firm restart dates established for many. This means that many of the films that were scheduled to be released in 2021 are likely going to get pushed further. And hopefully, by the end of 2020, the vast majority of projects will be back in production and everything will get back to relative “normal” by 2021. But again, there’s no guarantee any of this can happen safely.
Needless to say, even when theaters reopen this summer, as they’re expected to do with the release of “Tenet,” the road back to “normalcy” is going to be long and difficult.