Bob Chapek Reiterates Plan for 45-Day Theatrical Window for “Shang-Chi”

With COVID-19 rates soaring due to the emergence of the delta variant, Disney CEO Bob Chapek seemed to express some regrets with their plan for a 45-day theatrical release for Marvel’s upcoming film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

  • During today’s earnings call, Chapek reiterated the plan for a 45-day theatrical release for Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
  • While he didn’t specifically say he regrets the plan he did mention that they did not have the contractual ability to move the film.
  • He also said they think the current plan will be an “interesting experiment.”
  • Chapek made it clear that the delta variant has altered the way they’ve looked at this release but also that it emerged too late for them to change anything.
    • “That title was planned on being in a much more healthy theatrical environment and at this point unfortunately, due to distribution agreements that we have and due to just the practicality of last minute changes, it wouldn’t be possible.”
  • Chapek also mentioned the film eventually coming to Disney+ but did not go into details regarding the timeline.

About Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings:

  • The story focuses on Shang-Chi’s relationship with his father, who closed him off from the outside world while he trained in the martial arts, only to release him later to do his bidding. Shang-Chi would eventually learn that his father was not the man he thought he was. Now he must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings comes to theaters on September 3, 2021.