Disney plans to stream a galaxy of Star Wars, Marvel series

Walt Disney Co. unveiled a galaxy's worth of new streaming offerings on Thursday, including plans for 10 “Star Wars” series spiff and 10 Marvel series that will debut on Disney+. But even as Disney emphasized its expanding streaming portfolio, company said atrical release remains an important component of its big-budget spectacles. In a virtual presentation for investors, Disney chief executive Bob Chapek laid out super-sized ambitions for it direct-to-consumer efforts, leaning heavily on some of company's biggest brands. Over next few years, Disney is planning to premiere directly on Disney+ t just an armada of “Star Wars” and Marvel series but 15 live-action, Pixar and animated series, and 15 live-action, Pixar and animated movies.

Chapek said Disney+ subscribers worldwide have reached 86.8 million, up from 74 million last month. service has easily exceeded most forecasts, reaching that number 13 months since its launch in vember 2019. Disney said one of its upcoming films, animated “Raya and Last Dragon” will in March debut simultaneously in aters and by premier access on Disney+. That's same approach company took earlier this fall for “Mulan,” with a $30 early-access fee on top of $8 monthly subscription.

Disney made or adjustments to reorient its film operations around streaming. Hulu, which this year debuted Andy Samberg comedy “Palm Springs” and Sarah Paulson thriller “Run,” will be home to more original films from 20th Century Studios and Searchlight Pictures. Many in Hollywood had erly awaited Disney's response following WarnerMedia's anuncement last week that it will release all 17 of its 2021 films — from “Dune” to “ Matrix 4" — simultaneously on its streaming platform, HBO Max, and in aters.

That move set off shockwaves prompting a backlash from much of film industry, including ater chains, producing partners and some of studio's top talent . Christopher lan criticized plans as “a bit of a mess.” Some said long-forecast end times for cinemas had arrived. Ors questioned ecomics of one of Hollywood's top studios sacrificing a year of box office — and cascading windows of release that follow a atrical run — to salv rocky rollout of HBO Max — a service that many HBO subscribers have yet still haven't activated.

Wall Street approved. Stocks for WarnerMedia's parent company AT&T are up about 6% since anuncement by Jason Kilar, chief executive of WarnerMedia and a veteran of Hulu and Amazon. John Stankey, AT&T chief executive, on Tuesday said pandemic had unleased a new media reality unlikely to fade after COVID-19. “That horse left barn,” he said. But Disney signaled that while it will continue to be flexible during pandemic in distributing its films and series, it still sees atrical release as valuable. After several postponements, Marvel film “Black Widow” is scheduled to open in aters May 7.

Compared to WarnerMedia, present situation is very different for Disney, which has already laid foundation for a formidable Netflix competitor in Disney+ and which has for years dominated box office. Disney has experimented with premium digital release of “Mulan” and upcoming Pixar release “Soul," but its box-office might has been envy of Hollywood. company's films accounted for more than $13 billion in ticket sales worldwide last year and 38% of moviegoing in U.S. and Canada. Seven Disney films topped $1 billion worldwide.

(Im Credit: AP)