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Mulan release delayed globally because of coronavirus pandemic

Covid-19 has forced movie theaters in China to close, but not in the US

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Disney’s live-action Mulan remake cost US$200 million to make, so it’s been banking on success in China. (Picture: Disney)
Xinmei Shen
This article originally appeared on ABACUS

Mulan fans in China have been eagerly awaiting a release date in the country, where Disney is betting on a big box office for the live-action remake. But now Mulan fans around the world will have to wait along with China, as Disney has delayed film’s release indefinitely over concerns about the rapidly spreading Covid-19 disease. It's another blow to the film after some people called for a boycott last year when lead actress Liu Yifei posted a message of support for Hong Kong police during anti-government protests. 

Mulan’s director Niki Caro said on Instagram that they have to postpone Mulan’s worldwide release because of “the current ever-shifting circumstances we are all experiencing.” On the same day, Paramount announced that the release of the sci-fi horror movie A Quiet Place Part II is also delayed. The delay of both films became trending topics on Chinese microblogging site Weibo. Disney also said it’s postponing the release of the X-Men-related film The New Mutants, which started production under 20th Century Fox and has been delayed multiple times.
Since the coronavirus outbreak in China, the country’s movie industry has ground to a halt. Cinemas are having such a difficult time that they’re selling snacks online. In the US, where the spread of the coronavirus has recently accelerated, movie theaters still remain open.

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