It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has shaken Disney’s movie release plans, leading some of the movies originally slated for theatrical release to premiere on Disney + instead. With the media landscape constantly changing, it looks like Marvel Studios is already making plans for any future uncertainties.
According to TheWrap.com, the superhero powerhouse is redesigning his contracts for future projects to reflect possible changes to the release strategy. A studio insider tells Umberto Gonzalez that “under the new contract language, key talent such as actors, writers, directors and producers will receive an adjusted fee depending on whether the movie opens in theaters or debuts on the Disney + streaming service.” Gonzalez adds that Marvel’s typical contracts for key talent include backend bonuses tied to their movie’s box office revenues. It is expected to be the first film to use the new contracts Black Panther II, who recently reported that the role of T’Challa will not be recast following the death of star Chadwick Boseman.
It should also be noted that the pandemic has also prompted Disney to debut movies in theaters and on Disney + simultaneously with “Premier Access”. The live-action remake of Mulan was the first release to adopt this strategy in September, while it was announced on Disney’s Investor Day that it will also be for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Raya and the last dragon from March 5. It is likely that these new contracts will also provide compensation for films released in this way.
Keep reading WDWNT as we learn about the evolving plans for Disney’s theatrical movies.