Marvel Studios Developing Asian Superhero Film ‘Shang-Chi’

[doctornick]

All the industry trades are somewhat sure that it will hit D+ after 45 days (Oct 17).

Source?

I’m not doubting but when I’ve looked online I’ve only seen rumor sites assuming that it be on D+ in 45 days just based on the exclusive theatrical window. But not really the reliable trades or anything directly quoting official Disney sources or even “per a source from Disney” type reference.

Prior to the pandemic, Disney was doing a three window approach of theater -> digital download/physical sale -> free on Disney+. They could easily return to that format just with a 45 day theater release as opposed to 90.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Source?

I’m not doubting but when I’ve looked online I’ve only seen rumor sites assuming that it be on D+ in 45 days just based on the exclusive theatrical window. But not really the reliable trades or anything directly quoting official Disney sources or even “per a source from Disney” type reference.

Prior to the pandemic, Disney was doing a three window approach of theater -> digital download/physical sale -> free on Disney+. They could easily return to that format just with a 45 day theater release as opposed to 90.

"The trades."

A Google search shows about 20 sites that follow movies and media and comics all saying the same thing based on Chapek's comment in the quarterly report (which wasn't airtight).

If Shang-Chi was going to PPV or Disc or Premium Channels first before D+, there would surely have been some chatter about it in the industry.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

So the movie last Thursday it was absolutely fantastic!!! Definitely top ten Marvel movies for me. Shang-Chi was a awesome hero and Wenwu was a truly great villain. Only complaint I have is the third act does become like every other MCU movie. I wish it had focused more on Shang and his father fighting. I cannot wait for a sequel! We need Iron Fist in the 2nd movie!

 

[DCBaker]

 

[doctornick]

What, it's not going to be appearing right at 45 days on Disney+?!? I'm shocked.

It's almost like people saying it would be on D+ in October were just guessing based on the 45 day theatrical window and not on any inside knowledge or indications from Disney.

 

[Jedijax719]

45 days, give or take a month lol.

Well at least we can assume it will be free on that day. (but then again you know what happens when you assume). Looks like they want to keep it around in theaters until Eternals comes out.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

What, it's not going to be appearing right at 45 days on Disney+?!? I'm shocked.

It's almost like people saying it would be on D+ in October were just guessing based on the 45 day theatrical window and not on any inside knowledge or indications from Disney.

Several articles cite Bob Chapek specifically saying it would be a 45 day theatrical window on a quarterly earnings call. People were hardly speculating this out of thin air.

Note that he said it would be "45 days of theatrical exclusivity", so whether that meant straight to Disney+ at that point was speculative.

They've said they're experimenting with release methods, so they may be tweaking as they go, especially since the film continues to perform well in theaters.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the film be made available for sale on iTunes and the like at the 45 day mark, with a "free" Disney+ release in November.

 

[Jedijax719]

Several articles cite Bob Chapek specifically saying it would be a 45 day theatrical window on a quarterly earnings call. People were hardly speculating this out of thin air.

Note that he said it would be "45 days of theatrical exclusivity", so whether that meant straight to Disney+ at that point was speculative.

They've said they're experimenting with release methods, so they may be tweaking as they go, especially since the film continues to perform well in theaters.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the film be made available for sale on iTunes and the like at the 45 day mark, with a "free" Disney+ release in November.

Well I am not even sure if Chapek thought it would do as well as it is. Great opening, awesome word of mouth, repeat viewing value, and, so far, great holds. Milk it for what it has. I'm down with that. It will be ready for the holidays which is nice!

 

[doctornick]

Several articles cite Bob Chapek specifically saying it would be a 45 day theatrical window on a quarterly earnings call. People were hardly speculating this out of thin air.

Note that he said it would be "45 days of theatrical exclusivity", so whether that meant straight to Disney+ at that point was speculative.

They've said they're experimenting with release methods, so they may be tweaking as they go, especially since the film continues to perform well in theaters.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the film be made available for sale on iTunes and the like at the 45 day mark, with a "free" Disney+ release in November.

Exactly. That was exactly my point, when I asked about it earlier in this thread. Not that it couldn't go to D+ at the 45 day mark, just that Disney had never said that it would.

I was asking for a link or other proof that it was going to show up then on D+ and was told to google it, but when I googled all I saw were rumor sites which were just extrapolating from the 45 window and not any inside sources or quotes for Disney. I didn't see any reliable sources (unlike, say, the Deadline report today that specifically says the Disney+ release date). It was all speculation which is exactly what I thought might be the case; not that it was made up out of thin air but it was just an educated guess.

Anyway, I'm curious about it going forward how things will work since (to me) the most likely long term model is theater for 45 days --> digital downloads/DVD/other paid options for some period of time (30-60 days I guess) --> free on Disney+. I think that setup would be most similar to the old model, just with smaller more compressed windows for each distribution. and allows Disney to benefit from three different compensation models and would probably maximize revenue.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Disney has said that the theatrical window for their movies will be 45 days (used to be 90 days standard).

What happens after that... has not been made clear.

Black Widow won't be 'free' on D+ until 89 days after day and date release (Oct 6).

If Shang-Chi and Jungle Cruise wait until Nov 12 to be 'free' on D+, that's 70 and 111 days respectively.

And there's no mention of Free Guy.

So, what's happening to these movies after 45 days in the theater but before their D+ 'free' release? Right now, Black Widow is for purchase on many streamers.

It's clear that after the 45 days, there's no guarantee (or even intention) to have the movie go directly to D+ for 'free.'

We also need to contend with some delayed theatrical releases in other countries.

It's a Wild West of cinema out there right now.

 

[doctornick]

Disney has said that the theatrical window for their movies will be 45 days (used to be 90 days standard).

What happens after that... has not been made clear.

Black Widow won't be 'free' on D+ until 89 days after day and date release (Oct 6).

If Shang-Chi and Jungle Cruise wait until Nov 12 to be 'free' on D+, that's 70 and 111 days respectively.

And there's no mention of Free Guy.

So, what's happening to these movies after 45 days in the theater but before their D+ 'free' release? Right now, Black Widow is for purchase on many streamers.

It's clear that after the 45 days, there's no guarantee (or even intention) to have the movie go directly to D+ for 'free.'

We also need to contend with some delayed theatrical releases in other countries.

It's a Wild West of cinema out there right now.

Thank you. You just reiterated exactly what I was saying earlier in the month. Y'know when you responded with snark to my question about it the following way:

"The trades."

A Google search shows about 20 sites that follow movies and media and comics all saying the same thing based on Chapek's comment in the quarterly report (which wasn't airtight).

If Shang-Chi was going to PPV or Disc or Premium Channels first before D+, there would surely have been some chatter about it in the industry.

All the industry trades are somewhat sure that it will hit D+ after 45 days (Oct 17).

My point then - and now - is that Disney announced the 45 day theatrical exclusive window and then didn't say squat about what happens after. I'm not sure Disney even knows what the plans will be and they are quite possibly fluid. And I never saw any "industry trades" suggesting that there would be a release on D+ 45 days after - everything I could I find online was the throw away rumor sites that just make guesses based on public information without any proof. Not stuff that is reliable.

 

[doctornick]

I brought up my question originally because I was genuinely interested in discussing the release strategy for Disney going forward. Obviously Shang-Chi was the first of the next wave of release strategy after the day and date theater/Premium access for Disney. (I don't count Free Guy because they can't put that onto their streaming due to existing Fox contracts.) I think the Black Widow strategy was poor one - it made a lot up front but I think the long term revenue from it was completely cut off at the knees and devastated by doing Premier Access. I think digital downloads/DVDs/(post release) VOD not to mention D+ subscriptions/retentions were hurt and that the movie will end up being less profitable than it would have been than if they followed Shang Chi's setup.

Going forward, for a popular movie like MCU, Star Wars, animated films, live action Disney remakes, etc. my thinking has been that the best way to go is the past system of three windows but just compressing them. I wouldn't put something (for free) on Disney+ until I've been able to sell a bunch of digital downloads or DVDs to people who really need to have the movie as soon as possible.

 

[BrianLo]

I brought up my question originally because I was genuinely interested in discussing the release strategy for Disney going forward. Obviously Shang-Chi was the first of the next wave of release strategy after the day and date theater/Premium access for Disney. (I don't count Free Guy because they can't put that onto their streaming due to existing Fox contracts.) I think the Black Widow strategy was poor one - it made a lot up front but I think the long term revenue from it was completely cut off at the knees and devastated by doing Premier Access. I think digital downloads/DVDs/(post release) VOD not to mention D+ subscriptions/retentions were hurt and that the movie will end up being less profitable than it would have been than if they followed Shang Chi's setup.

Going forward, for a popular movie like MCU, Star Wars, animated films, live action Disney remakes, etc. my thinking has been that the best way to go is the past system of three windows but just compressing them. I wouldn't put something (for free) on Disney+ until I've been able to sell a bunch of digital downloads or DVDs to people who really need to have the movie as soon as possible.

I do think they are going to side more unpredictably now. If they happen to hit on an unexpected movie with legs, I doubt it will appear on D+ for months and months. Those calls being made after their theatrical debut.

They don't want people avoiding the theatre and pay windows until they are sure they are mostly milked dry.

 

[doctornick]

I do think they are going to side more unpredictably now. If they happen to hit on an unexpected movie with legs, I doubt it will appear on D+ for months and months. Those calls being made after their theatrical debut.

They don't want people avoiding the theatre and pay windows until they are sure they are mostly milked dry.

Yeah, that may be the case that they "wing it" more than have a predetermined schedule. If something has better legs, you let the theatrical window continue as much as possible without competition. If something collapsed, you might bring it to streaming quicker before it entirely fades from public consciousness. Maybe.

Either way, whether they decide earlier or on the fly, we might see a good bit of variation as they tinker to find what strategy works best.

 

[MisterPenguin]

It is a flop. It took 3 days to batley beat Fast 9, the 9th installment of a series. And is lowest Marvel opening to date. Next week it will drop HARD. No one showed up for it. Eternals will be worse.

'Shang-Chi' to Become The Highest-Grossing Movie Domestically During The 2020-21 Pandemic

Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings continues to do wonders for Disney and the box office.

thedisinsider.com

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

'Shang-Chi' to Become The Highest-Grossing Movie Domestically During The 2020-21 Pandemic

Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings continues to do wonders for Disney and the box office.

thedisinsider.com

Still on the very low end. I have yet to be proven wrong.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Still on the very low end. I have yet to be proven wrong.

Domestic rankings of all time of thousands and thousands of movies after just 4 weeks...

 

[doctornick]

I know there are the China issues and it probably won't get a release there, but are there other (significant) international markets where Shang-Chi has not released yet?

 

[MisterPenguin]

I know there are the China issues and it probably won't get a release there, but are there other (significant) international markets where Shang-Chi has not released yet?

Thailand last week and Indonesia this week were the last two scheduled delayed openings.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) - Release info - IMDb

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) - Movies, TV, Celebs, and more...

www.imdb.com

 

[Jedijax719]

Great to see it doing so well. I confess I am not doing my part as we are waiting for it to come to D+.

I can see Eternals probably doing similar numbers. However, I can see Spiderman NWH doing Rogue One type numbers even during the pandemic. Maybe a little less but not much less.