Michael Bay pandemic thriller Songbird will no longer receive a theatrical release

It was the first film to shoot in Los Angeles during COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. 

But Songbird unfortunately won’t be seen in theaters, instead debuting on Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) in December, according to The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday.

The Michael Bay-produced pandemic thriller will be available to rent for 48 hours, for a price of $19.99, on December 11.

Following this initial run, Songbird ‘will head to streaming on a yet-to-be-announced service,’ say THR. 

STXfilms’ Adam Fogelson said, ‘The pandemic has affected every aspect of our business, from production to release, but Songbird demonstrates that a nimble studio like STX can find effective and profitable ways to make their movies work, as we have similarly with Greenland and My Spy during these challenging times. The show must go on.’

The film’s plot revolves around a near-future, dystopian Los Angeles in which COVID-23 now wreaks havoc on the world by attacking the brain. 

Bearing stark similarities to the current coronavirus pandemic, star KJ Apa’s character Nico interacts with his girlfriend Sara (Sofia Carson) over the phone in the trailer, as she remains indoors to keep from getting the virus while he can hang out outdoors as he’s immune.  

Last month, director Adam Mason discussed the show’s inspiration with Entertainment Weekly, as he said: ‘It’s a dystopian, scary world, but it’s a romantic movie about two people who want to be together, but they can’t.

‘It’s Romeo and Juliet, but they’re separated by her front door and by the virus.

Having created the film with his script-writing partner Simon Boyes, with filming taking place over just 17 days, Adam went on: ‘We were kind of trepidatious, but still very much amped and excited to get to work.

‘It was really eerie, but the way we shot was every actor’s dream.’