Yesterday Disney delayed the release of its live-action “Mulan” film to an unknown date later in 2020.
In the wake of that, there has been online speculation that it or some other films Disney had previously set for theatrical could make the jump to shore up the new content-starved Disney+ streaming service.
The studio released a pointed statement with the delay, saying they “truly believe in the moviegoing experience, and we are looking at new potential 2020 release dates to be announced at a later date.” That rules out a Disney+ launch for these films.
The film’s director Niki Caro has also issued a statement on Instagram to offer sympathy to those battling the coronavirus and to promise fans an experience worth waiting for:
“Making this film has been one of the most satisfying and exhilarating experiences of my entire career, and I’ve been so fortunate to be on this journey with some of the best cast and crew in the business – people who truly embody the attributes of Loyal, Brave, and True.
We are so excited to share this film with the world, but given the current ever-shifting circumstances we are all experiencing, unfortunately, we have to postpone the worldwide release of MULAN for now. Our hearts are with everyone the world over who is affected by this virus, and we hope that Mulan’s fighting spirit will continue to inspire those who are working so hard to keep us all safe.
Thank you for all of your enthusiasm and support, and I can’t wait for the day where we will all get to experience this tale of a girl warrior who became a legend together #mulan #yifei_cc #loyalbravetrue”
The comments come as the global box office is expected to be down by several billion this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic which is shuttering cinemas.
