With news that AMC, Regal, Landmark, Alamo Drafthouse, and the vast majority of other theaters in the US shutting down for potentially the next three months, it was only a matter of time before Disney announced that it would pull the release of “Black Widow.” And now, apparently, it’s official.
According to Variety, Disney has decided to delay the release of Marvel Studios’ “Black Widow” from its May 1 release date due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Unfortunately, there’s no word on when we might see “Black Widow” hit theaters as a result of this delay. There has been talk that maybe Disney would shift the entire Marvel Studios Phase 4 lineup to accommodate this delay, with “Black Widow” taking over the “Eternals” release date in November and then “Eternals” taking “Shang-Chi’s” date, and so on. But, as of now, that hasn’t been announced.
This is also a clear indicator that Disney isn’t willing to take chances on its almost-$200 million film. “Black Widow” was expected to fully kick off the summer movie season, as Marvel Studios has done for years now, and would have probably pulled in $1 billion or so for the studio. When you’re talking about $1 billion, a studio isn’t willing to gamble on that release.
READ MORE: AMC, Regal & Other Theater Chains Close Their Doors Due To Pandemic
It also means that Disney, at least, is convinced that six weeks from now, the theatrical release model will not be back to full strength in a way that is conducive to release a blockbuster. Basically, with AMC announcing a six-week to 12-week closure, Disney is projecting that it will be at least six weeks and probably more, if it’s not willing to sit on that May 1 date.
To say that this is a major blow to the already injured theatrical business is an understatement. The closures are already crippling for exhibitors and chains, as well as the average worker at these establishments. But announcing that May’s biggest film release (on the heels of May 22 being vacated by “F9”) is a move that not only signals that April is already a wash (nothing will be open that month anyway), but also that May is likely not going to be any better.
READ MORE: ‘Birds Of Prey’ Hitting VOD Next Week, Just Over 6 Weeks After Theatrical Release
Also of note, Disney used this time to announce that two other films, Searchlight Pictures‘ “The Personal History of David Copperfield” and 20th Century Studios‘ “The Woman in the Window” have also vacated their release dates.
With “F9” and “Black Widow” out of the picture in May, the summer movie season has been hit hard already. Next up, we have Disney’s own “Artemis Fowl” on May 29 and Warner Bros.’ “Wonder Woman 1984” on June 5. If those films get delayed, then we are looking at the real chance that summer 2020 is going to be the worst ever for the film industry.