The live-action remake ofMulanwill soon be available on additional digital platforms just over a month afterpremiering exclusively on Disney+. Moviegoers will be able to purchaseMulanon Amazon Video, Vudu, FandangoNow, and more online retailers for $29.99.
Amazon, Vudu, and FandangoNow are already allowing moviegoers to pre-orderMulanahead of its October 6th, 2020, debut on the addeddigital platforms. Those who pre-order from Vudu will receive a $3.00 credit towards other films and television shows available on the platform. The film will be presented in SD, HD, or 4K UHD formats.
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Disney was originally planning to releaseMulantheatrically in March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the studio to postpone its debut. After setting new release dates in July and then again in August, the company decided to forgo a traditional theatrical release and instead madeMulanavailable on Disney+ as a “Premiere Access” title for an additional cost of $29.99 on top of the subscription fee for the service. However, the film would also receive a limited theatrical release incountries where theaters re-openedor where Disney+ was not yet available.
Unfortunately, it appears Disney’s release strategy forMulandid not pay off. The live-action remake grossed $23 million over its opening weekend in China and while initial estimates indicated the film was a success on Disney+, revised figures suggestMulanonly earned $62-$93 million over twelve dayson the streaming service. However, Disney has not publicly announced any details on how well or poorlyMulanperformed on its streaming since premiering on September 4th.
It’s probably a safe bet thatMulan’s Disney+ revenue wasn’t quite what the company had been hoping for, especially consideringMarvel Studios’Black Widowwas postponed until 2021instead of being added to the streaming service as another “Premiere Access” title. The live-action remake’s fortunes probably weren’t helped by controversy stemming from the pro-police comments made by lead star Liu Yifei’s and the decision to film scenes in the province of Xinjiang, where multiple internment camps are located.
Regardless of whyMulanlikely underperformed, it appears Hollywood is going to have to go back to the drawing board as the film industry tries to adapt the ongoing pandemic. However, if a VOD release and a gradual theatrical release, the route Warner Bros. chose forChristopher Nolan’sTenet, can’t pay off, Hollywood may be running out options for its upcoming blockbusters aside from further delays.
