‘Black Widow’ Will Hit Disney+ And Theaters On July 9, ‘Shang-Chi’ Delayed, And More Disney Release Date Changes
Black Widowwill now receive a simultaneous release on Disney+ and in theaters this summer.
Disney also revealed that the Emma Stone-ledCruellamovie will be getting the same hybrid release treatment asBlack Widow, and the studio has shifted the release dates for movies likeFree Guy,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and more. Get the details below.
Here are the additional theatrical release date shifts just announced by the company:
The fact thatBlack Widowis being released on Disney+ would have been practically unthinkable a year ago, back when Disney initially delayed the highly anticipated Marvel Studios release in the hopes of being able to release it a few months later and still rake in a billion dollars at the worldwide box office after the pandemic. The virus raged out of control, but even though things on the pandemic front are finally improving, expectations for the studio seem to have changed as we begin Year Two of dealing with the coronavirus.
Just last week, Disney CEOBob Chapekstatedthat a decision about aBlack WidowDisney+ and/or theatrical release would come at the last minute. “We’re going to make the call essentially, probably, at the last minute in terms of how these films come to market – whether it’sBlack Widowor any other title,” Chapek said. Now that time has finally come. By finalizing this decision, it gives Marvel some much-needed stability and a sense of howKevin Feigeand his team can begin rebuilding their interconnected narrative that’s being spread across multiple films and now television shows likeWandaVisionandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
ThisBlack Widowshift is not without its own ripple effect, though:Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringshas been kicked out of its July slot and into September, whileEternalsis still slated for release on November 5 of this year.
This type of hybrid release wasreportedly opposedby Feige as recently as last month, and although Marvel has gotten into Disney+ content with its streaming shows, this will mark the first Marvel Studios film that has received this treatment.Black Widowwill be the first movie in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
