The dominos of departing theatrical releases from the 2020 calendar continue as theater chains face hurdles opening in the United States due to a continuing widespread COVID-19 pandemic and closures loom as Europe finds itself on the verge of a second wave. Expected blockbusters such as “Dune” and “No Time To Die” have already pushed to 2021 and now one of Disney’s expected crown jewels has joined their ranks. The Walt Disney Company announced today that Pixar’s “Soul,“ the Oscar frontrunner for Best Animated Feature, will debut on Disney+ on Christmas Day instead of in theaters.
In their press release, Disney noted, “Over the last six months, marketplace conditions created by the ongoing pandemic, while difficult in so many ways, have also provided an opportunity for innovation in approaches to content distribution.” There will still be a limited theatrical campaign as markets that do not have Disney+ will have release dates announced shortly.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek remarked, “We are thrilled to share Pixar’s spectacular and moving ‘Soul’ with audiences direct to Disney+ in December. A new original Pixar film is always a special occasion, and this truly heartwarming and humorous story about human connection and finding one’s place in the world will be a treat for families to enjoy together this holiday season.”
Director Pete Docter and Chief Creative Officer of Pixar added, “The world can be an exhausting and frustrating place – but it’s also full of unexpected joys, even in seemingly mundane things. ‘Soul’ investigates what’s really important in our lives, a question we’re all asking these days. I hope it will bring some humor and fun to people at a time when everyone can surely use that.”
Originally selected to premiere at the 2020 Cannes Film Festival and a Nov. 20 release, “Soul” centers on Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), a middle-school band teacher who is ready for his chance to play at the best jazz club in the city. Unfortunately, fate finds him landing at The Great Before, a heavenly destination where souls find themselves before heading to human form. There he meets 22 (Tina Fey), a soul who is trying to discover who they really are and, surprise, Joe might learn something about himself along the way.
An Oscar winner or “Inside Out” and “Up,” Docter is joined on the creative team by co-director by Kemp Powers (“One Night in Miami”) and Academy Award-nominated producer Dana Murray, (Pixar short “Lou”). The rest of the vocal cast includes Phylicia Rashad, Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Angela Bassett and Daveed Diggs. It also features original jazz music by Jon Batiste and an original score by EGO-winners Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (“The Social Network,” “Watchmen”).
The move comes after Disney experimented by releasing “Mulan” earlier this fall on the Disney+ service. In that endeavor, the public had to already be Disney+ subscribers before having the opportunity to then spend an additional $30 to watch the live-action adaptation on the streaming service. Despite some third party research that indicated potentially $250 million-plus in revenue from the test, it appears it wasn’t lucrative enough or worth the public relations hassle for Disney to attempt it with “Soul.”
“Soul” will now debut on Disney+ on Dec. 25, 2020.