Re-Porter Blog SMS 2021: Special Post

 

    Hey followers. Hope everyone is prepared for the summer movie season to kick off tomorrow. While there is a lot of anticipation in the air for the movies on the way, the fact still remains that the COVID-19 pandemic is still very much an issue that still plagues the industry. To be clear, all signs are pointing to us getting out of the pandemic soon given how many people are getting vaccinated. It will be awesome to sit in a movie theater again and experience the thrill of the theatrical experience after a year where those moments were few and far between. 

Camila Cabello and Chris Pratt had movies that were set to hit theaters this summer.
They will now forgo a theatrical release and premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime.

Speaking on just the summer movie season, the 2020 pandemic's impact on this year's season can not be overstated. A number of films that were supposed to release last year are finally seeing the light of day but with conditions that range from fair to less than enthused. HBO Max has offered up its entire library of 2021 titles on both the service and in theaters. The decision has been met with pushback mainly from filmmakers who intend to have their creative visions experienced on a big screen. In addition to that, there are other movies that will be skipping theater entirely and premiere exclusively on streaming. Films like The Tomorrow War starring Chris Pratt and the latest retelling of Cinderella starring Camila Cabello were looked at as potential box office draws. Now they will both make their debut on Amazon Prime forgoing any potential theatrical foothold. Pixar is also getting this when it releases its new film Luca exclusively on Disney + the second time this has happened since last year's Soul. While we are talking about Disney +, the service's new Premier Access feature will be getting quite the workout with three of Disney's in-house studios releasing films in both theaters and on the platform. From my perspective, the option is great for those who still are apprehensive about driving to the cineplex. On the other hand, giving the option to stream at home hurts any potential chances of making a splash at the box office. That could spell trouble for some of the big-time flicks on the horizon that will premiere on streaming services and theaters simultaneously. 

Luca is the second film from Pixar to debut exclusively on Disney +
following in the footsteps of the sudios' last film Soul.

The box office took a significantly large hit last year with no film really making a big splash with the pandemic in its most potent stage. The only significant release during summer 2020 was Christopher Nolan's action-thriller Tenet. Despite its large scale and scope, it never really jump-started the industry like many had hoped. That seems to be changing this year with several films already making huge strides in reinvigorating the box office like Godzilla vs Kong in late March and even F9, set to release in a little under a month here in the states, already raking in significant revenue following its premiere overseas. 

Despite not yet releasing in the US, F9 has a terrific overseas haul that could be 
a welcome sign for the film's domestic release and others that follow.

Speaking on some of the big releases set to hit this summer, they will be looked at to lift the domestic box office from the ashes. Momentum from the early part of the year has shown that progress is being made. But the wounds of a brutal financial drought are still a long way from being healed. Hope does come in the form of films like A Quiet Place Part II, F9 The Fast Saga, Black Widow, and The Suicide Squad just to name a few. These movies could be just what is needed to steer the industry in the right direction as work beings to try and pick up the pieces. 

The MCU's anticipated return to the big screen will be headlined 
by Black Widow and the debut of newest hero Shang-Chi.

Overall, uncertainty is still a huge factor when it comes to this topic. But I will say that the mere fact we are even having discussions about summer movies in the theater again is a welcome sign regardless. I look forward to being back in that sanctuary of escapism again and this time, I vow to never take it for granted again. Welcome back to the movies everyone. It's been too long.