THE BATMAN, MORBIUS, TURNING RED, & More Pulled From Russia Release; DOCTOR STRANGE Possibly Out Too

THE BATMAN, MORBIUS, TURNING RED, & More Pulled From Russia Release; DOCTOR STRANGE Possibly Out Too

In an expected development, Warner Bros. has removed The Batman from its Russian release schedule while Sony and Disney have pulled Morbius, Turning Red, and future releases for the foreseeable future.

By RohanPatel - Feb 28, 2022 11:02 PM EST
Filed Under: The Batman
Source: Deadline

Following Disney's decision to pull the theatrical release of Pixar's Turning Red in Russia earlier today, Warner Bros. has finally decided to pause its release of The Batman amid the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Robert Pattinson-starrer was originally slated to open there on March 3. 

In a statement, the studio said, “In light of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, WarnerMedia is pausing the release of its feature film, The Batman in Russia. We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves. We hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to this tragedy.

Shortly thereafter, Sony decided to pause the release of its entire slate, including their upcoming Jared Leto-fronted Marvel superhero blockbuster Morbius. A studio representative stated, “Given the ongoing military action in Ukraine and the resulting uncertainty and humanitarian crisis unfolding in that region, we will be pausing our planned theatrical releases in Russia, including the upcoming release of Morbius. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been impacted and hope this crisis will be resolved quickly.

In addition to Turning Red, it's probably safe to assume that neither Cheaper by the Dozen nor Deep Water will be granted a release in Russia, although that's slightly easier to do since neither Disney+ nor Hulu are available in the country. However, the bigger question is whether Disney will sustain the ban into May when Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is due out in theaters across the globe. 

While superhero movies have proven to be quite popular in Russia, with Marvel/Sony's Spider-Man: No Way Home recently grossing over $45 million, these new developments were understandably inevitable due to current events. 

Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Turning Red from Pixar. We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.,” said Disney in their official statement.

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NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 2/28/2022, 11:38 PM
Sucks for those russian fans that don't agree with Putin's actions to miss out these when their release dates are so close.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 2/28/2022, 11:38 PM
It's the right thing to do amongst all this craziness. Peace to those affected
dracula
dracula - 2/28/2022, 11:52 PM
hopefully this conflict doesnt last long
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 3/1/2022, 12:02 AM
Good on Disney for leading the pack.
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 3/1/2022, 12:03 AM
Sucks for the Russian fans who have nothing to do with this and won't be able to check them out in theaters.
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 3/1/2022, 12:11 AM
Why make the civilians suffer cause the actions of their leader?
Unites
Unites - 3/1/2022, 1:42 AM
@AnthonyVonGeek - Because their are many Russians who support Putin.
Kingdork
Kingdork - 3/1/2022, 2:20 AM
@AnthonyVonGeek - Don't know if not being able to see The Batman or Turning Red in theaters can be label as "suffering" giving the context of what's happening across the border in Ukraine.
braunermegda
braunermegda - 3/1/2022, 9:14 AM
@AnthonyVonGeek - say that to the family killed yesterday by a Russian missile, or the civilians who are being killed by this atrocity
TheManWithoutFear
TheManWithoutFear - 3/1/2022, 2:35 AM
I don't think I agree with this. It will have no bearing whatsoever on Putin (this is Putin's war) and the fans who desperately need some escapism will miss out.

A movie may not seem much, but it is sometimes the little things that get us through.
AmazingFILMporg
AmazingFILMporg - 3/1/2022, 2:50 AM
@TheManWithoutFear -


Unfortunately, things like this affect the people but it will cause a revolt. Not the films not being released but a combination of sanctions and their ruble being worth less
Forthas
Forthas - 3/1/2022, 2:58 AM
Putin = real life Lex Luthor
PartyKiller
PartyKiller - 3/1/2022, 5:03 AM
@Forthas - Lex would be 100% effective at convincing the public he was the good guy.
TheCoonII
TheCoonII - 3/1/2022, 4:40 AM
Big deal this will barely affect the box office for those movies at all
Scarilian
Scarilian - 3/1/2022, 5:03 AM
Make no mistake, the only reason studios are doing this is so they can release the film later and leech more money off people.

The virtue signalling of 'thoughts and prayers' while they deny people the movies because they want to make more money is a sh*t excuse.
Kumkani
Kumkani - 3/1/2022, 5:52 AM
There's anti-war sentiment amongst some Russians, so it's not like the entire country is with the President on this one.

That said, the idea that Russian citizens are "suffering" because they don't get to watch some movies is absurd. Russians suffer for much more valid reasons, especially those getting arrested for protesting right now. And of course the Ukrainians are suffering as well because of the invasion.
deamon
deamon - 3/1/2022, 6:57 AM
Very good move.

Woman, kid lives are more important than watching superhero movies in Russia at same day as we can in West.
Russians have to understand all moves from their government are bad for society.
People in Ukraine can't go to cinemas right now, they can't even go to hospital...
Russian soldiers are killing civillians (kids), emergency workers, paramedics just like that and we should let Russia watch superhero movies?

Same for Russian sportmans, looks like self sport achievements are more important for them than kid lives.

There have to be sncntions for whole Russians, they have to understand finally what's right.
Without sanctions all people (also those who supports we know who) in Russia can make use of services just like people in West, we can't allow this.

Disney+ still isn't in my country and I'm patient, I can wait to watch all those Marvel TV shows.
dragon316
dragon316 - 3/1/2022, 7:46 AM
Maybe someday entertainment will make impact in real world movies tv shows
MrDandy
MrDandy - 3/1/2022, 9:28 AM
Good. F*ck Russia. I feel bad for those who have to live under that tyrant but it seems the only way to fight a dude with that many nukes is just to cut his country off from polite society all together.
BecauseICare
BecauseICare - 3/1/2022, 9:28 AM
This time yesterday I was understanding that WB wasn't pulling The Batman because it seemed to be "too late" to do so. Now, less than 24 hours later we find out that in fact there IS time to pull movies. In fact, it seems there's ALWAYS time to pull movies. If it's a PR crisis you can best believe a movie can be pulled IMMEDIATELY. I don't mean to sound cynical but it's all about their bottom line. If keeping the movie release date for Russia proved to be a PR disaster with bo receipts reflecting that disaster then maybe it's best it's "held". And if WB or any of the other studios have anything to say about it those movies will eventually be released in Russia. After the war is over. Speaking of Ukraine, I encourage us all to consciously and actively choose peace today wherever we may be on the planet.
pyramosteu
pyramosteu - 3/1/2022, 10:11 AM
Anti-War sanctions only happen when it's not the United States bombing the crap out of civilians or funding rebel terrorists. Iraq is still waiting for it's apology for the 2 million dead.
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