Following in the wake of similar announcements by AMC Theatres now that more concrete cinema release dates for new films have been decided (mainly “Tenet”), Regal Cinemas, has announced that it will begin to reopen its U.S. locations starting from August 21.
Cineworld, the U.K. cinema chain that recently acquired Regal, made the announcement on Monday afternoon following Warner Bros. announcement that Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” will be opening in international markets on August 26, with a limited U.S. run to follow from September 3.
READ MORE: ‘Tenet’ To Receive International Release First, Limited US Rollout From Labor Day
“Welcoming theatergoers back to our cinemas will be a celebration for not only our team and our industry, but most importantly for the fans who have been anxiously awaiting the year’s upcoming releases,” said Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Cineworld. “With the health and safety of our staff, customers and communities as our top priority, we are happy to invite audiences to return to the timeless theatrical experience that we have all dearly missed.”
Like most cinema chains Regal closed down its U.S. sites in mid-March this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has since completely wiped out the spring and summer slate, with many of the biggest titles from Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros., and other major studios either released via streaming, or pushed back as far as 2021 and 2022.
READ MORE: ‘A Quiet Place 2,’ ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Delayed Until 2021
Even with the announcement, the only films that are currently set to open domestically at the time Regal reopens are “Unhinged” from Solstice Studios and “Antebellum” from Lionsgate. The limited run of “Tenet” was said to include cities where it has been deemed ‘safe to reopen’, and so far it’s unclear whether theaters in Los Angeles, New York and many other locations will be approved to open by that date by their respective health departments.
Regal also said on Monday it will enforce previously announced health and safety measures that adhere to the latest public health guidelines, including social distancing protocols and mandatory masks for both Regal employees and guests. A lot of this all still seems like wishful thinking, but only time will tell.
[Variety]