Disney Sets Out A Strict List Of Demands For Theatres Screening STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Disney Sets Out A Strict List Of Demands For Theatres Screening STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Following the record-setting release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Disney is playing hardball with American theatres who plan on screening the new space epic, The Last Jedi. More past the jump...

By jph152 - Nov 01, 2017 05:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: Wall Street Journal

Much like Emperor Palpatine as he orchestrated the fall of the Jedi, Disney appears to be wielding “unlimited power” in their negotiations with theatres.

 

The uber-powerful studio is using its leverage to its advantage when negotiating with cinema chains, as the Wall Street Journal is reporting that theatres will have to follow a strict list of demands if they want to screen Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Theatres in the United States will have to fork over 65% of the film’s box office earnings to Disney, and screen The Last Jedi in their largest auditorium for the first four weeks of the film’s run. Some of the other terms are still being kept secret.

 

These terms will take effect if the movie earns more than $500 million in North America, and based off everything we know about the movie and the Star Wars franchise in general, this is a given.

 

The Star Wars franchise has a history of playing hardball with theatre chains, as Lucasfilm not only received a larger piece of the box office earnings for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, they also demanded a cut of the concessions on opening weekend. Before Episode II - Attack of the Clones was released, George Lucas insisted that theatres would install digital projectors if they wanted to screen his movie.

 

Disney is truly holding all the cards here, as the studio not only controls Lucasfilm properties, but Marvel Studios and the vast collection of original Disney films that get rebooted and remade each year. With box office revenue down 5% so far this year, theatres have even less leverage than they did previously.

 

What do you think about Disney’s strict terms for theatres? Comment below.

 
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Kitschy
Kitschy - 11/1/2017, 5:35 PM
Can't take a cut from my snuck in Jujubes from the Dollar Tree!
ConnorHawkeye
ConnorHawkeye - 11/1/2017, 5:37 PM
Well, that is kind of a dick move, but hey that is also modern day bussiness and I am sure that the money that theatres get from star wars is gonna be worth it
Ben4
Ben4 - 11/1/2017, 5:46 PM
@ConnorHawkeye - They've been doing my this pretty much since Force Awakens. I've worked at a movie theatre since before episode 7 came out and they're nuts with this kind of thing. We as employees aren't even allowed to see it for free for the first 3 weeks. The most by other movie has done is opening weekend
JohnGotDaJuice
JohnGotDaJuice - 11/1/2017, 5:37 PM
All hail our future overlord, The Mighty Mouse

Battabing
Battabing - 11/1/2017, 5:40 PM
Theater chains were going after Disney for this some time ago.
MultiMedia996
MultiMedia996 - 11/1/2017, 6:24 PM
@Battabing - Elaborate. I'm curious.
Brave
Brave - 11/1/2017, 5:41 PM
Star Wars fans:


Disney:
EZBeast
EZBeast - 11/1/2017, 5:41 PM
[frick] you Disney your power hungry monsters
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