Odeon cinema refuses to show all Universal movies – including new James Bond film No Time to Die – in row over films released straight to on demand
- The row comes following Universal’s decision to release movies via streaming
- Universal’s move comes after Trolls World Tour became an on-demand success
- Universal granted the likes of Sky and Apple TV to stream the children’s movie
- Odeon are now refusing to screen all the Universal films in their cinemas
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Odeon cinemas are refusing to screen all Universal films, including the new James Bond movie ‘No Time to Die’, in a row over distribution.
Odeon’s owner said the boycott of Universal’s films will cover its 1,000 cinemas worldwide.
The boycott from the cinema chain was ignited by Hollywood giant Universal’s decision to release movies via streaming, as well as to cinemas even when the coronavirus lockdown finally comes to an end.
The cinema chain will refuse to show James Bond’s new blockbuster movie ‘No Time to Die’
Odeon are banning all Universal movies in a row over films released straight to on demand
Universal’s move comes after its hit film Trolls World Tour became a huge TV-on-demand success after the coronavirus crisis shut down cinemas.
Universal granted the likes of Sky and Apple TV to stream Trolls World Tour from home, which led to them racking up a massive €90million in just the first three weeks.
The film is the most high-profile of a series of titles that Universal intended for cinema release but instead was distributed straight to streaming services.
Universal are making movie premieres available to rent through digital platforms like Amazon, Virgin, Sky and TalkTalk on the day of release – at £15.99 a pop – after cinemas closed down to protect staff and customers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This is nearly double the UK average cinema ticket price of just over £7 – although the cost of a ticket varies from region to region.
The move has upended the traditional practice of keeping a movie exclusively in cinemas for what is typically a 90-day window before releasing it on other platforms.
Following the outcome of the Trolls World Tour release, NBCUniversal chief executive Jeff Shell said: ‘The success exceeds expectations. As soon as theatres reopen we expect to release movies on both formats.’
Universal allowed the likes of Sky and Apple TV to stream Trolls World Tour from home
However, Odeon owner AMC have since hit back by sending a furious letter to NBCUniversal chairwoman Donna Langley, while it has also been claimed their plans are ‘breaking the business model’.
Chief executive Adam Aron said: ‘With this proposal to go to homes and theatres simultaneously Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our companies.
‘AMC will not license any of your movies in any of our 1,000 theatres globally on these terms.’
This has put James Bond’s new blockbuster €220m movie, No Time to Die, into jeopardy.
Universal, which was started up in 1912, is the world distributor of the James Bond film, which is set to be released on November 12 and stars Daniel Craig in his last-ever outing in the title role.
Throughout the UK, Odeon has 120 complexes, as well as 11 in Ireland – while London’s Leicester Square has hosted 700 major premieres.