Walt Disney Delays Release of Over 10 Films Including 'Black Widow' Due to COVID-19 Impact

▲Movie Black Widow [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Walt Disney has postponed the release dates of over 10 movies, including the Marvel film "Black Widow."

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 23rd (local time), Walt Disney extended the release date of the Marvel movie "Black Widow" by six months to May next year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Originally, "Black Widow" was scheduled to be released in May this year, but after being postponed once, it has been delayed again this time.

Steven Spielberg's remake "West Side Story" also postponed its release from December this year to December next year.

The release of "Eternals," starring Angelina Jolie, was also delayed to November next year.

Additionally, "Death on the Nile," based on Agatha Christie's detective novel, has been postponed to December 8, and "Deep Water," starring Ben Affleck, has been delayed to August 13 next year.

Previously, Walt Disney released "Mulan," which had its release delayed, online through the streaming service "Disney Plus" only in the United States.

Walt Disney's consecutive postponements of anticipated releases are interpreted as a result of the COVID-19 spread not subsiding and the lack of increase in theater audiences in the United States, its largest market.

In particular, Warner Bros.' release of Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" earlier this month, which recorded disappointing box office results in the U.S., also appears to have influenced this decision.

"Tenet" earned $215 million (approximately 251.9 billion KRW) overseas but recorded a poor box office performance of $36 million in the U.S. during its first three weeks.

Currently, three-quarters of theaters in the U.S. have reopened, but theaters in major markets such as New York and Los Angeles remain closed.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.