'Black Widow' and 'Cruella' get same day release in theaters and Disney Plus
Disney has just announced that two major upcoming films, Marvel’s Black Widow and Cruella, will be released in theaters and on their streaming platform, Disney Plus, simultaneously.
While Cruella starring Emma Stone is set to keep its May 28 release, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow has been pushed back once again to July 9. Both films will now be launched on Disney Plus with Premier Access on the same day as their theatrical release.
Black Widow in theaters July 9 and on #DisneyPlus with Premier Access. Additional fees required. pic.twitter.com/nXBjsHoXtY
— Disney+ (@disneyplus) March 23, 2021
Black Widow stars Scarlett Johansson as the title’s S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and savvy KGB assassin. The script, penned by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson, is set after the events of Captain America: Civil War and finds Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow heading to Russia to confront her past. This time, she’s joined by Little Women Academy Award nominee Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. The cast also includes Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and more.
The MCU blockbuster was originally set to open in May 2020 before the pandemic pushed it first to Nov. 6, 2020 and then to May 7, 2021 before the latest July release.
Disney will also launch the Emma Stone-starring Cruella both in theaters and on Disney Plus via Premier Access on May 28, 2021.
The studio's prequel to 101 Dalmatians serves as an origin story for the puppy-stealing villainess. The live-action movie focuses on a younger version of Cruella de Vil, the iconic villain of the 1961 animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians and the live-action adaptation 101 Dalmatians (1996) and sequel 102 Dalmatians (2000), who was originally played by Glenn Close, who now serves as an executive producer for the new film.
“Today’s announcement reflects our focus on providing consumer choice and serving the evolving preferences of audiences,” Kareem Daniel, the chairman of Disney’s distribution wing, said in a statement reported by the Los Angeles Times. “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 recently launched recent tentpoles Soul, Raya and the Last Dragon, and Mulan, via Disney Plus, with the latter two falling under the “Premier Access” banner where it costs an additional $29.99 to purchase.
Disney and Pixar’s Luca, meanwhile, will stream directly in homes on Disney Plus beginning Friday, June 18, similar to how Soul was released without any additional charge.
The latest moves have impacted theatrical release dates of other upcoming films.
New release dates include:
- Free Guy - August 13, 2021
- Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - September 3, 2021
- The King’s Man - December 22, 2021
- Deep Water - January 14, 2022
- Death on the Nile - February 11, 2022
Cruella will still premiere on May 28 while Black Widow will now be released on July 9, 2021 in theaters and Disney Plus.
As of this writing, Disney Plus is still not yet available in the Philippines.
(Images via Disney Plus)