Scarlett Johansson and Walt Disney Co. are locked in a legal fight and war of words over “Black Widow’s” online release. It’s the latest flashpoint where talent pay practices have yet to catch up to broader industry changes.
The “Shang-Chi” grosses make it less likely that big movies such as the upcoming Marvel feature “Eternals” will be released simultaneously through streaming, analysts said. Meanwhile, Disney+ has been a major driver of the company’s stock price and is considered the Burbank entertainment giant’s top priority. Analysts are closely watching what Disney decides to do with the November release of the animated feature “Encanto” after other kids movies, like Pixar’s “Luca,” went straight to digital.International markets, which fluctuate wildly with coronavirus caseloads and government restrictions, are a major factor in studio release decisions. Outside the U.S.
Shang-Chi as all other summer releases still opened about 30%+ lower than they would have done in normal circumstances as would have opened with $100m+ as Black Widow and would have taken 30%+ more, 40% of its BO was from IMAX and PLF tickets $20+ double industry average
By dating ShangChi on Labor Day weekend Disney pulled off a master stroke as immediately lowered expectations making its opening look far more impressive than it was, but as Marvel have said before they could open a film anytime of the year and people will come in large numbers