Connect with us

Entertainment

Disney will release Mulan online Sept. 4 on Disney Plus, for $30 in US

Published

on

It’ll cost roughly the same amount in other select countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of countries in Western Europe.

Disney will release its live-action film Mulan online through its Disney Plus service on Sept. 4, but it won’t be included as part of a standard subscription. Mulan will cost $30 in the US in addition to Disney Plus’ regular subscription fee, and it will be priced at roughly the same amount in international markets where it’ll be available online too, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and a number of countries in Western Europe.

Don’t get your hopes up yet that other mega-budget films — like Marvel’s Black Widow with a theatrical release date set for Nov. 6 — necessarily will follow the same quick path onto your living-room TV. The company characterized Mulan’s release as a onetime deal, though it could serve as an experiment that guides its future release decisions.

“Mulan is a one-off,” Disney CEO Bob Chapek said Tuesday during a call that discussed the company’s fiscal third-quarter results. “That said, we find it very interesting to be able to … learn from it and see what happens, not only in terms of the uptake of the number of subscribers that we get on the platform but the actual number of transactions on the Disney Plus platform that we get.”

Mulan, which was supposed to open in theaters in March but had to delay the release date multiple times because of the coronavirus, will be available be available as what’s known as premium video on demand, which usually means a high-priced rental. But it will be offered exclusively through the company’s Disney Plus streaming service, seemingly holding out from other popular stores for online rentals like Apple’s TV app, Amazon Video and others.

The company will also release Mulan theatrically on Sept. 4 in markets where cinemas are open and where Disney Plus isn’t operating yet.

“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 the Disney Plus subscription with great content,” Chapek said.

The decision marks an unprecedented approach to releasing a big-budget movie that had been destined to be a blockbuster back when theaters were open worldwide. The coronavirus pandemic has shuttered cinemas around the globe and forced studios across the board to delay big-budget films for months and years, with no certainty in sight for when theaters can reopen at large or when audiences will feel comfortable sitting in windowless, enclosed rooms for hours.

It’s also a major defection from the rigid rules that usually keep new movies only in theaters for 75 days or more, as well as a surprising change to how Disney Plus has been pitched to audiences since it launched in November. Disney Plus is Disney’s online hub for streaming almost everything the company produces, but it was marketed as an all-you-can-eat buffet like Netflix, where your subscription unlocks everything on the platform to watch. Mulan will bring an a la carte transaction to Disney Plus that its 60 million subscribers haven’t yet encountered.

Disney’s changes underscore how disruptive the pandemic has been to Hollywood studios’ meticulously planned release cycles. With theaters closed and coronavirus preventive measures keeping people stuck at home, studios have mostly decided to keep pushing back the theatrical release dates for mega-budget pictures. But with their tentpole movies in a holding pattern, studios could be setting themselves up to all release a glut of movies on top of each other, crimping ticket sales.

Already, smaller-budget films began to go straight to online rentals or streaming services, such as Disney’s decision to release its Hamilton film and its young-adult sci-fi movie Artemis Fowl on Disney Plus rather than in theaters. And Universal has released new movies like DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls World Tour and others as special online rentals.

But Universal’s Trolls World Tour online release enraged cinemas, with US chain AMC even vowing it would ban Universal movies from its screens, including its blockbuster Fast & Furious franchise. Cinemas have doggedly clung to rules that keep new movies only in theaters for months, even as audiences have grown more accustomed to watching video when they want, where they want. Then last month Universal struck a deal with AMC to patch things up, promising to give theaters three weekends of exclusivity for new movies going forward in exchange for lifting the ban on its movies, a signal that cinemas are willing to compromise.

Disney, however, has been one of the Hollywood studios most dedicated to theatrical release. It’s decision to put out Mulan online reinforces the prospect that these alternative release strategies devised in the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic may have lasting effects even after cinemas start reopening at large.

Disney Plus’ standard subscriptions costs $7 a month, or $70 a year, in the US. In Canada, Disney Plus is priced at C$9 a month, or C$90 per year.

In countries that are part of the euro zone, it is 7 euros, or 70 euros a year. In the UK, it is £6 a month, or £60 a year. In Australia, it’s priced at AU$9 a month, or AU$90 per year, while New Zealand subscribers pay NZ$10 per month, or NZ$100 per year. In India, Disney Plus Hotstar is priced at 299 Indian rupees a month, or 999 rupees a year. In Japan, Disney Plus is 700 yen a month through an exclusive partnership with Japanese telecom company NTT Docomo.

Matthew Ronald grew up in Chicago. His mother is a preschool teacher, and his father is a cartoonist. After high school Matthew attended college where he majored in early-childhood education and child psychology. After college he worked with special needs children in schools. He then decided to go into publishing, before becoming a writer himself, something he always had an interest in. More than that, he published number of news articles as a freelance author on apstersmedia.com.

Entertainment

Nora Fatehi Shines in BTS Shots from Her Global Hit ‘Snake’ with Jason Derulo

Published

on

Nora Fatehi Shines in BTS Shots from Her Global Hit 'Snake' with Jason Derulo

Nora Fatehi is reaching new heights with her latest music video Snake, featuring global pop star Jason Derulo. The song is a huge hit, charting at #2 globally and garnering over 80 million views in just 24 hours. This success has further cemented Nora as an international star.

A Stunning Visual Delight

With high-energy dance moves and stunning visuals, Snake has won the hearts of fans around the world. The video captures Nora and Jason’s incredible chemistry, making it a video you shouldn’t miss.

Nora shared exclusive photos of BTS (Behind the Scenes) on Instagram, showing their intense rehearsals. She expressed her excitement, saying, “We’re climbing the charts, guys! Come on, keep going! We love you, #Snake #BTS.”

In an interview, she recalled a special moment, saying, “The first time Jason and I walked on set in full costumes, the energy was insane. We knew this was going to be something special.”

Snake’s Quick Success

Within 24 hours, Snake became the second most-viewed video worldwide, behind Rose’s Apt and Bruno Mars’ latest song. Fans are hoping it will soon take the top spot.

Nora’s fans love her performance and effortless dance moves. Her collaboration with Jason Derulo is one of the biggest music moments of the year. Snake keeps breaking records, proving Nora’s global influence.

Nora’s International Journey

Nora has been making waves on the global music scene. Last year, she collaborated with Nigerian artist CKay for It’s True, a fan-favorite song from his album Emotions, where she also sang in Hindi.

What’s next for Nora Fatehi and Jason Derulo?

With Snake being a huge hit, fans are eager for more collaborations between Nora and Jason. Their powerful presence and chemistry have left audiences wanting more. As Nora continues to grow internationally, the world is eagerly awaiting her next step.

With Snake climbing the charts, one thing is clear: Nora Fatehi is now a global star and there is much more to come from her in the future.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Princess Kate Reflects on Strength and Recovery in World Cancer Day Message

Published

on

Princess Kate shares encouraging message on World Cancer Day

As the world marks World Cancer Day on February 4, Catherine, Princess of Wales, shared a touching message on social media, reflecting on her personal experience and expressing her gratitude for the support she has received.

Her message was accompanied by a candid photo of Kate standing in a peaceful forest, smiling with her arms raised. The image, which captures a moment of joy and resilience, was taken by her youngest son, 6-year-old Prince Louis.

Last month, the 43-year-old princess, formerly known as Kate Middleton, shared the encouraging news that her cancer treatment had been successful and that she was now in remission.

In her latest statement, she acknowledged the challenges she faced and looked forward to a brighter future.

“It is a relief to be in remission, and my focus is on recovery. As anyone diagnosed with cancer knows, it takes time to adjust to a new reality. However, I am optimistic about the year ahead and all that it holds. Thank you for your unwavering support,” he said.

Kate had largely retired from public life until 2024 after undergoing planned stomach surgery in January. Later in March, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy, describing the experience as “complex, terrifying, and unpredictable.”

By the end of the summer, she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, which was a major milestone in her recovery.

In September, she appeared with her husband Prince William and their three children in an emotional Instagram video, where she spoke openly about the impact her diagnosis had had on her family.

“As summer draws to a close, I cannot express the relief that I am finally finishing treatment. The past nine months have been a difficult time for our family. “Life can change in an instant, and we have had to navigate uncertain and challenging times together,” she said.

Princess Kate’s strength and resilience continue to inspire many, and her message is a reminder of the courage needed to face life’s unexpected challenges.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

New Gremlins and Goonies Films Underway

Published

on

New Gremlins and Goonies Films Underway

Two iconic movies from the 1980s are set to make a comeback in the 2020s. Warner Bros. is currently in the early stages of developing a third Gremlins movie and exploring the possibility of a Goonies reboot.

Reports indicate that Warner Bros. is collaborating with Christopher Columbus on a new Gremlins film and working on a treatment for The Goonies. While specific details remain under wraps, the news emerged as part of the studio’s broader strategy to expand some of its biggest franchises, including The Lord of the Rings, The Matrix, and the DC Universe. Additionally, a sequel to the 1998 romantic fantasy Practical Magic, with Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprising their roles, is also in development.

This isn’t Warner Bros.’ first attempt to revive the Gremlins franchise in recent years. In 2023, Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai premiered on Max. The animated prequel series, set in 1920s Shanghai, follows a young Sam Wing, the original owner of Gizmo. Its second season, retitled The Wild Batch, will bring the story to San Francisco.

A third Gremlins movie was previously in development during the 2010s, with Columbus attached, but the project never came to fruition. Columbus’ involvement in this new installment is significant, as he did not participate in the 1990 sequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch or the animated series.

The Goonies: A Return to Adventure?

The potential Goonies project appears to be in an earlier phase than the new Gremlins movie, as it is still in the treatment stage—a precursor to a full script. It’s unclear whether the project will be a remake or a legacy sequel to the 1985 classic. However, the original cast has expressed enthusiasm about returning for a continuation.

In September 2024, Sean Astin, who starred in the original film, shared a fan poster for a sequel titled Goonies Are Good Enough on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, “It’s our time. C’mon Steven [Spielberg].” Astin has been vocal about his desire for a sequel, stating in a 2014 interview that director Richard Donner was interested in revisiting the story. Unfortunately, Donner passed away in 2021 at the age of 91.

Ke Huy Quan, who played Data in The Goonies, has also spoken about the challenges of making a sequel. In a January 2023 interview with Variety, he explained that finding a script that lives up to the original has been the main obstacle. “For over 30 years, we’ve tried to do a Goonies 2,” Quan said. “When I was younger, I hoped it would happen because I thought it might revive my career. We had several scripts, but none felt right for the legacy of the original. Sadly, we lost our captain, Dick Donner, whom I dearly loved. I’m not sure if Goonies 2 will ever happen, but I’d love to revisit my character if it does.”

Continue Reading

Trending

error: Content is protected !!