“To avoid catastrophic losses to the studios,
these titles must have the fullest possible
theatrical release around the world,” the
association said in a statement. “While one or
two releases may forgo theatrical release, it
is our understanding from discussions with
distributors that the vast majority of deferred
releases will be rescheduled for theatrical
release as life returns to normal.”
NBCUniversal is prepping its own streaming
service, dubbed Peacock, but it isn’t to launch
until July 15. Walt Disney Co. made “Frozen 2”
available on its streaming service, Disney Plus.
But that film had already completed its theatrical
run. Its digital release didn’t break the traditional
90-day theatrical exclusivity window.
And Hollywood’s major upcoming releases
aren’t currently heading for the home;
they’re being held for when theaters reopen.
Paramount Pictures’ “A Quiet Place Part II,”
earlier slated for release Friday, has been
removed from the schedule. Disney’s “Mulan”
and the James Bond film “No Time to Die” have
been put off. Universal earlier pushed its latest
“Fast and Furious” movie, “F9,” from late May to
April of next year.
While the new coronavirus can be deadly,
particularly for the elderly and people with
other health problems, for most people it
causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such
as fever and cough. Some feel no symptoms
at all and the vast majority of people recover.
In addition to advising against gathering of
more than 10 people, Trump has urged all
older Americans and those with chronic health
conditions to stay home.