With the fallout of the new Warner Bros./HBO Max deal still being felt around the film industry, there are many people wondering which studio is going to be next to make a similar deal. Will we see Universal do a day-and-date release strategy with theaters and Peacock? What about Disney and Disney+? Well, in the case of the latter, it does appear that contracts could be worked out to make it a possibility, at least with Marvel Studios films.
According to The Wrap, new contracts are being worked out that would include clauses about potentially releasing films in theaters and then on streaming in relatively short order or perhaps even the same day. This isn’t being seen as the studio trying to put the pieces into place to make a huge WarnerMedia-esque move, but instead, it’s looked at as a contingency if something like that has to happen.
The biggest issue that filmmakers and actors seem to have with the way WarnerMedia handled its big announcement is that the studio never reached out before the decision was made to assure folks involved in the filmmaking process that they would be financially compensated for the move. Now, the studio finds itself in the unenviable position of trying to work out deals after the decision was public.
Marvel Studios is reportedly trying to bypass all that confusion and have contingencies in the contract that would allow for the studio to make that sort of decision while also putting filmmakers at ease, knowing they would have a deal in place if it were to happen. This provides Marvel with a bit more flexibility as we move into another year of uncertainty with the film industry. Theaters are still not where they want to be, as far as box office grosses are concerned, and it doesn’t appear that a huge wave of blockbuster films is coming anytime soon to help boost attendance. So, it makes sense that studios would begin to change how they structure contracts with talent.
Does this mean Marvel’s Phase 4 slate is hitting Disney+ and skipping theaters? Of course not. All this means is that Marvel Studios is making sure that all options are available and that the filmmakers and talent won’t be caught off guard if a decision has to be made. As of now, Marvel Studios’ first film in 2021 is “Black Widow” on May 7. And from all accounts, the studio is still pushing it to theaters exclusively. For now.