Let’s get down to business.
After months and months of delays due to the novel coronavirus, entertainment giant Disney has finally settled for a release date of “Mulan.” On September 4, the live action adaptation of the hit animation classic is now set to debut on streaming platform Disney+, but with a slight twist. It’s not part of anybody’s $6.99 subscription.
Disney + Mulan
On Tuesday, the House of Mouse announced that their blockbuster movie “Mulan” will still be seeing a theatrical release on other markets where movie houses are allowed to operate. Also, a theatrical showing also makes sense for countries that don’t have Disney+ yet.
It is also a first separately paid content on Disney+, as it will charge $29.99 in addition to the monthly subscription. It is unclear though whether the major picture will be available for non-subscribers. The streaming platform has now over 60 million paying subscribers, which is its target base for 2024. Among the countries that could launch Mulan on Disney + include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and some European countries.
#Mulan will be available for streaming on Disney Plus on Sept. 4 for a price of $29.99 https://t.co/WD5ZfLFisP pic.twitter.com/HG8dAxgcTj
— Variety (@Variety) August 4, 2020
Digital over theatrical
Chief executive officer of the Walt Disney company Bob Chapek said: “We see this as an opportunity to bring this incredible film to a broad audience, currently unable to go to movie theaters, while also further enhancing the value and attractiveness of a Disney+ subscription with this great content.”
“Mulan” was originally planned to hit theaters on March, which was then met with a series of delays before Disney puts it in limbo with an indefinite release date. It is among the films to land on the newest streaming platform that was intended for theatrical distribution. Such includes flicks like the filmed version of Broadway hit “Hamilton,” “The One and Only Ivan,” and sci-fi “Artemis Fowl.” But these did/would not warrant additional payment on top of subscription, giving “Mulan” a unique position.
But given a high budget of $200 million for production of “Mulan,” it is not surprising if Disney would charge more for the film.
Disney these days
Disney+ is one strength of the media conglomerate in this pandemic setting. The Mouse company reported an almost $5 million quarterly net loss, as the health crisis forced many Disney theme parks to shutdown to curb virus spread. Their parks and resorts business saw 85 percent dive from last year’s same quarter. Disney’s overall sales plunged by 42 percent to $11.8 billion, and stocks were flat.