Honestly, in the week leading up to the release of “Bloodshot” last Friday, the idea of being one of the final new films in theaters wasn’t a bad idea. There was the idea that, even with reduced capacity, you’d have one of the last big films to be released. But now, with the vast majority of cinemas in the US and around the world closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sony’s plan to release “Bloodshot” last week all but assured that the Vin Diesel film would have a ridiculously low box office.
However, considering Universal’s idea of releasing the studio’s first-run films, such as “The Hunt” (which also debuted last week), on VOD super early, Sony has decided that the best idea to attempt to earn your money back on “Bloodshot” is with a VOD release, according to Deadline.
On March 24, film fans will have the option to buy “Bloodshot” on VOD for $19.99. That means the Vin Diesel film that was supposed to kickstart a new superhero franchise, as well as a potential Valiant Comics film universe, has the opportunity to earn a bit of money while there is still a bit of buzz surrounding the flick.
Tom Rothman, Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group, said, “Sony Pictures is firmly committed to theatrical exhibition and we support windowing. This is a unique and exceedingly rare circumstance where theaters have been required to close nationwide for the greater good and ‘Bloodshot’ is abruptly unavailable in any medium. Audiences will now have the chance to own ‘Bloodshot’ right away and see it at home, where we are all spending more time. We are confident that — like other businesses hit hard by the virus — movie theaters will bounce back strongly, and we will be there to support them.”
READ MORE: IMAX CEO Thinks China’s Cinemas Could Reopen & Be ”Somewhat More Normal” By June
As mentioned, the news that “Bloodshot” is hitting VOD only a week or so after its theatrical debut comes on the heels of Universal announcing that multiple films would be doing that very thing. This is also in the wake of Disney releasing “Frozen II” on its streaming service months ahead of the original plan. This news is why Rothman made sure to reiterate that the “windowing” is still in effect, once this coronavirus pandemic is under control. Theater Exhibitors recently made a statement that was supposed to ease the fears of people who worry that this early VOD release trend will somehow become the norm and cinemas would be obsolete.
At least in Sony’s case, that’s not the intention at all. For now, of course.
