‘Black Widow’ ‘Cruella’ to release in theatres and on Disney+ Hotstar simultaneously

Black Widow, Cruella, and Pixar’s Luca are headed to Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar but this time they are landing differently. On Tuesday, Disney announced that the Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow, the next Marvel movie, had been deferred for two months. It will now release on 9 July in cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access globally.

Emma Stone-starrer Cruella, the origin story of the villain from One Hundred and One Dalmatians, will also follow the same route but it’s sticking to its 28 May release date. That leaves Pixar’s next film Luca, which keeps its release for 18 June 2021 but is now going straight to Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar.

Now, because Disney+ with Premier Access — it involves a $30 (roughly Rs. 2,180) or equivalent fee on top of your monthly Disney+ subscription — is not available in select Disney+ markets such as India, both Black Widow and Cruella will only be available in theatres here upon the films’ respective premiere.

The same was the case for Mulan and Raya and the Last Dragon, the two Disney films that have been previously released under Disney+ with Premier Access. Both those titles were/will be released on Disney+ Hotstar and Disney+ (outside Premier Access) three months later. If the trend continues, then Black Widow will release on 8 October 2021 on Disney+ Hotstar, while Cruella will arrive on 27 August.

Owing to the Black Widow release date change, Disney has moved some of its other titles as well. That includes its Marvel successor, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which moves from 16 July to 3 September. Disney has not commented on a Premier Access release for Shang-Chi, indicating that Disney hopes that theatres will be in a better state then.

“Today’s announcement reflects our focus on providing consumer choice and serving the evolving preferences of audiences. By leveraging a flexible distribution strategy in a dynamic marketplace that is beginning to recover from the global pandemic, we will continue to employ the best options to deliver The Walt Disney Company’s unparalleled storytelling to fans and families around the world,” Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution chairman Kareem Daniel said in a prepared statement.

Cruella is slated for release on 28 May in cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access followed by Pixar’s Luca on 18 June on Disney+ and Disney+ Hotstar. Black Widow premieres on 9 July in cinemas and on Disney+ with Premier Access.

 

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