MULAN, FAST AND FURIOUS DELAYED

LOS ANGELES: The release of Walt Disney Co’s epic action movie “Mulan” and Universal Pictures’ ninth “Fast and Furious” film were postponed on Thursday as Hollywood scrambled to adjust to the worldwide spread of coronavirus.

Disney had held a red-carpet premiere on Monday to promote “Mulan” and said at the time that the film would be released in the United States as planned on 27 March. But on Thursday, as U.S. authorities urged against large gatherings and took other steps to stop coronavirus spread, Disney said it had decided “out of an abundance of caution” to postpone the debut of “Mulan” as well as April releases “The New Mutants” and “Antlers.”

“We truly believe in the moviegoing experience, and we are looking at new potential 2020 release dates to be announced at a later date,” a Disney spokesperson said. “F9,” the new “Fast and Furious” movie from Comcast Corp’s Universal Pictures, was scheduled to debut May 22. Its release was delayed by nearly a year to 2 April, 2021. “Mulan” and “F9” were expected to rank among the biggest box-office hits in the coming months but were among several disruptions to global entertainment caused by coronavirus. The virus has closed movie theaters in China, Italy and many other nations, while a ban on travel from Europe to the United States announced by President Donald Trump on Wednesday is seen likely to curtail red carpets and other promotional events for movies and stars. US movie theaters remained open as of Thursday. But an industry source said operators may close larger theaters in some areas depending on advice from local authorities.