European Theaters Angry With Disney For Decision To Debut Pixar’s ‘Soul’ On Disney+
Cinemas are beginning to speak out over Disney’s decision last week that rather than release Pixar’s Soul at theaters in November, they would instead be releasing it directly to subscribers of their Disney+ streaming service on December 25, 2020.
According to a recent piece in The Guardian, The International Union of Cinemas (UNIC) released an official release stating that the decision has “shocked and dismayed all cinema operators.”
The statement goes on to read, “The vast majority of cinemas across Europe and indeed many regions of the world are now open and able to offer a safe and enjoyable return for audiences. Cinema operators have invested massively in offering the safest possible experience to their audiences on the basis of a promising schedule of new film releases. Yet again, however, they find a distributor delivering another blow.”
The film, which features Jamie Foxx, tells the story of a jazz musician whose soul is separated from his body due to an accident. The film was due to screen at the Rome Film Festival this week. This follows an October 10th premiere at the London Film Festival.
However, now Disney is taking a similar approach similar to their live-action release of Mulan which was also pulled from a large-scale theatrical release and was instead released on a premium offering on Disney+ where subscribers paid and additional $29.99 to screen the film. However, DIsney has said nothing about charging a premium for Soul which will be making its debut on Christmas.
UK Cinema Association Chief Executive Phil Clapp also issued a stark warning about the move saying, Hollywood’s decisions “risk causing irreparable damage to key markets.” Clapp added that when the studios want to release their blockbusters again, “it may be too late for many European cinemas”.
You can check out the film for Pixar’s Soul below which debuts on Disney+ on December 25th.
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Source: The Guardian