Disney’s Black Widow has been overdue for quite some time. Originally scheduled to be the first release from the MCU after Endgame, the movie was in the awkward position of having to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, which eventually made a full release on the original date untenable. Since then it has been pushed back quite a while, and several big players have pushed their releases to streaming services instead, leaving many to speculate about Disney’s plans for Black Widow.
One of the biggest companies to embrace this bold new world of streaming movies is WarnerMedia, which has committed to putting out its entire 2021 slate directly onto HBO Max the same day they release in theaters. This includes heavy-hitters like Matrix 4, Godzilla Vs. Kong, and Dune. It’s a move that sent shockwaves through the industry, and it is still unclear how the move will play out in the long run.
They’re not the only ones to embrace streaming though, Disney itself also made the decision to take advantage of Disney Plus as it continues to rake in subscribers. Mulan was released on the service as a premium VOD offering, and then they went one step further by releasing Pixar’s Soul onto the streaming platform as a free addition for all subscribers.
That, along with the current slate of Marvel shows headed to the platform has left many MCU fans wondering if Disney will eventually crack and put Black Widow up on streaming in some form or another. Unfortunately for those fans, it appears Disney is still committed to a full theatrical release of the film on May 7th. CEO Bob Chapek recently told investors that although they are still experimenting with premiere access for Raya and the Last Dragon, plans have not changed for the MCU film.
That said, Bob Chapek did go on to say that the company would “be watching very carefully to see whether that strategy needs to be revisited.” It’s entirely possible that, if the pandemic continues longer than expected, or something happens that makes theatrical releases unviable, the company could pivot after all.
For now, though, it would seem that Disney is committed to having Black Widow be its big “back in business” moment, and likely hopes that being one of the first big post-virus releases will put it in a favorable position. Hopefully, as the vaccine rolls out, theaters can begin to re-open, and audiences can see what Disney has been sitting on all this time.
Black Widow is scheduled for theatrical release on May 7th.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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