“Mulan” will be released on July 24 as planned, Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed Monday. But the two opening nights may be a problem.
Chapek told CNBC that the first two nights of the blockbuster film’s debut would be a big issue for movie theaters, unless they can begin to increase limited seating capacity, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“It really only becomes an issue on Friday night and Saturday night and to a lesser extent on Sunday night,” he said. “In that particular case, I think that can be managed. I think it will be up to our exhibitors who we partner with. I think that is a very good release date for that particular title.”
Last week, Chapek said Disney still planned to release the film on July 24, which I wrote about for the Deseret News. Chapek said he plans to keep movie releases for Disney films limited to movie theaters.
But, he said, that could change with time.
“We very much believe in the value of the theatrical experience overall to launch blockbuster movies,” he said. “But we also realize that, either because of changing and evolving consumer dynamics, or because of certain situations like COVID, we may have to make some changes to that overall strategy, just because theaters aren’t open or aren’t open to the extent that anybody needs to be financially viable.”
Chapek said Disney would consider films on a case-by-case basis.