The last film of phase 4 of the MCU, Black Panther 2, is all set to release on November 11, 2022. The long-awaited sequel to the 2018 box office hit, Black Panther, will follow the story after the events of Endgame. Earlier, Marvel announced that it is not planning on recasting King T’Challa for any future film. So, it will be interesting to see who will take up the title of King of Wakanda and Black Panther in the upcoming film. Black Panther 2 will show the struggles of T’Challa’s family after his death.
The lead actor of Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, passed away at the age of 43. The film has faced the loss of its lead star, and Covid also caused many issues for its production. After all these challenges, the film is finally making its way to its release in November this year.
Disney Struggling With the Release of Black Panther 2 in France
As the release date of Black Panther 2 is closing in, fans are excited to see how Marvel will follow up the story without Chadwick Boseman. However, a report of Le Film Francais has revealed that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may not have a theatrical release in France.
Under the new French law, films have to wait 17 months for their release on streaming platforms after their theatrical release. Due to this rule, no film in the fourth phase of the MCU has made it to Disney+ in France yet.
In the case of premiere users, the film requires a four-month window between the theatrical release and its availability on the streaming platform. Disney has stated in this regard, “The media timeline forces us to evaluate our theatrical releases film by film. We have not yet decided on the release of Black Panther.”
It is not the first time Disney is facing an issue with the release of one of its movies in France. Earlier in June, Disney announced that it canceled the theatrical release of its upcoming animated film, Strange World. Disney announced that Strange World will directly release on Disney+ only.
France Amended its Law for Theatrical Release of Movies
France is well-known for its love of films and theatres. Till January 2022, under French law, no film was allowed on any streaming platform unless the film was three years old.
But on January 24, 2022, France’s National Center of Cinema and various film studios signed a new agreement. Under this new agreement, the period of 3 years was cut short.
Before this agreement, Canal+ was the only streaming service allowed to host the latest films on its platform. The agreement shortened the period from 8 months to 6 months. It also allowed Disney+ and Amazon Prime to upload films on their platforms after 17 months of their theatrical release.
However, Netflix was allowed to upload films after 15 months of theatrical release. It most probably happened due to Netflix’s promises of financially contributing to French cinema.
Will Disney Cancel Black Panther’s Release in France
Disney has already stated that it will not have a theatrical release for Strange World in France. Strange World will release on November 23, 2022. Black Panther will release on November 11 in the UK.
Considering its plans for Strange World, Disney might do the same with Black Panther 2 as well. It will cause problems for French cinemas and their employees. As the release date for Black Panther 2 is not too far, Disney is bound to make the decision in the coming weeks.
Black Panther 2 stars Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, and Winston Duke. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will release on November 11, 2022. Black Panther is available to stream on Disney+.
Source: The Direct
