We knew Netflix was going to shake shit up by getting into the original film game, but wow, this was quick. In reaction to the news that Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend will release on Netflix and in IMAX theatres simultaneously, Regal, Cinemark, and AMC have all announced they won't show the movie.
The three biggest theatre chains in the United States are boycotting the film because they don't want to be forced to compete with Netflix. Straight up.
"At Regal we will not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to 3-inch wide on a smart phone," a Regal spokesman said. "We believe the choice for truly enjoying a magnificent movie is clear."
Is it though? If the choice were clear wouldn't moviegoers choose to see the sequel in theatres without hesitation? The truth is that the choice isn't so clear, and the big boys don't want to risk losing out.
Netflix will probably be fine, though. And so will IMAX. The latter has 200 screens in China to show The Green Legend, and the streaming service isn't even around in the country to compete.
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[via A.V. Club]
