Has Disney Delayed Black Widow And Soul Until 2021?

News out of Hollywood this week is yet another delay. Again. This time around it’s Disney’s Black Widow and Soul turn to be delayed.

With the performance of Tenet in America taking around $30 million in two weeks it doesn’t bode well.

In the UK the film under distancing measures has taken $7 million alone, $29 million in China, with blockbusters usually taking 70-80% gross in America, it isn’t good news.

It isn’t good news for those who expect a return on a reported $200-250 million blockbuster.

We previously reported the delay to Wonder Woman 1984 till Christmas Day, this appears to have sent waves throughout Hollywood, as Disney now look to change Black Widow’s release date.

Variety is reporting that sources say it is likely to move from its current date of November 6^th.

They also add that Disney is looking at possibly releasing Black Widow on their streaming service, Disney Plus.

To add further salt to the wounds of Cinemas everywhere, Soul also looks likely to go.

Disney Plus could also be its home, leaving the only major release between now and December to be No Time To Die.

Black Widow is going to be delayed… again…

Credit: Marvel Studios

Read more: Black Widow’s First Trailer Might Drop Sooner Than Expected(Opens in a new browser tab)

Spectre took a massive $120 million at the UK Box office last time around, but can it do anywhere near the same, under the current conditions & lack of audiences?

If Black Widow delays till next Summer, if Soul goes straight to streaming, exhibitors not just in America, UK but worldwide will struggle to see out the year.

Some cinemas are losing £10k a month

Credit: Marvel Studios

Read more: Marvel Studios Reportedly Considering Releasing Black Widow On Disney Plus

With staffing costs, rental agreements, taxes, film fees, products & general upkeep, one independent cinema we spoke to recently was upbeat but feeling defeated.

They are losing currently around £10,000 a month just staying open having looked at their figures since re-opening in July.

This is just a dip in the ocean when we see so many chains, Odeon & Empire to name a few have sites they’ve not even re-opened yet.

Whilst companies such as VUE (Owned by fund managers), Cineworld (FTSE 100 Member) have the size to survive, it’s inevitable more redundancies & site closures could follow.

What If…

Credit: Marvel Studios

Read more: Marvel Has Decided Not To Release Black Widow Via Streaming

If the release schedule keeps going further back & back, these companies have even larger overheads, & with 100’s of sites, the cost will be astronomical.

Cineworld famously saw a media backlash and entertainment union Bectu union affront after sending notice to an undisclosed number of staff they would be let go.

Before the UK furlough scheme came to play and reversed course, could this come back if the box office outlook continues to be bleak?

This is a model that cannot continue be it an independent cinema, or an international chain.

Hercule Poirot To The Rescue?

Credit: 20th Century Fox

Read more: Disney Rumoured To Be Working On A Live-Action Hercules Movie

Death On The Nile looks to anchor in the UK on the 16^th of October, originally a 20^th Century Fox release before the Disney sale will Disney continue?

Speaking to exhibitors this week, there’s been no rumblings on the Underground that this will move, but it’s certainly going to be a cagey month ahead for cinemas until these movies are released.

It could be that two of Britain’s most famous & iconic characters, Hercule Poirot & James Bond from Agatha Christie & Ian Fleming really will have a part to play in preventing the worst.

What do you make of this news?

Do you think Marvel Studios is going to end up delaying Black Widow?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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