Shang Chi Theatrical Only Release to Determine Eternals Release!
Will Eternals be a theatrical release only or will it stream on Disney + premiere access and release in theaters like Black Widow and The Jungle Cruise?
It all depends on the success of Shang Chi in theaters only.
With the Delta variant spreading fewer people are heading to theaters to see movies because everyone wants to be safe in their homes.
Disney + has been accommodating Marvel and Disney fans to watch movies in the comfort and safety of their own homes for an extra cost aka premiere access.
CelebnMovies247.com reports that Disney + has proved that Marvel and Disney’s films have succeeded with simultaneous releases of Black Widow, The Jungle Cruise and Cruela.
However, Shang Chi will be the first MCU Phase 4 film to be exclusively released in theaters. Fans on the MCU are NOT pleased since many people are not ready to risk their health to watch a movie in a dark theater.
So what does this mean for MCU movies in the future?
It means a change NEEDS to happen since COVID-19 has changed the landscape of moviegoing for the near and far future.
Variety spoke with Jeff Bock, an industry analyst for Exhibitor Relations, who revealed that he thinks we’ll be seeing more MCU films end up on Disney Plus Premier Access, certainly, until the pandemic has been eradicated and very possibly after, too.
Bock explained:
Obviously, Disney wants [Shang-Chi] to be a huge success, but in terms of what audiences want, I just don’t personally see the numbers. From what I think we all heard from the brass at Disney, they’re going to continue to play what works best for Disney after Shang-Chi. I think they’re going to continue to go with [Premier Access] until the pandemic is eradicated — and even then, I don’t know that they will completely change.
Marvel/Disney will reevaluate what’s best for November’s Eternals following Shang-Chi‘s exclusively theatrical release. If it manages acceptable business, then they may repeat the trick for Chloe Zhao’s ensemble flick. If, and this seems more likely, it doesn’t, then they could switch back to the Black Widow strategy and debut it on Premier Access. Though they might want to double-check the movie’s stars are OK with it this time.
We can tell you right now, we won’t be heading to the movies anytime soon.
