Hollywood studios stop movies from opening in Russia
By Alexandra Heilbron on March 2, 2022 | 4 Comments
On Monday, Disney became the first major Hollywood studio to announce they were pausing releasing movies in Russia in protest of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis, we are pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Turning Red from Pixar,” a Walt Disney Co. spokesperson said in a statement.
Turning Red was scheduled to open March 10 in Russia. Other upcoming releases from Disney that were to open in Russia include Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on May 5 and Lightyear on June 16. Disney added, “We will make future business decisions based on the evolving situation. In the meantime, given the scale of the emerging refugee crisis, we are working with our NGO partners to provide urgent aid and other humanitarian assistance to refugees.”
Later that day, Sony pulled the March 24th Russian release of Morbius starring Jared Leto. Also on Monday, Warner Bros. announced they were pausing the release of The Batman in Russia. On Tuesday, Paramount issued a statement to say their March and April releases, including Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and The Lost City starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum would not release in Russia. The same day, Universal pulled their March/April releases, including the animated movie The Bad Guys and Michael Bay’s new thriller Ambulance, starring Jake Gyllenhaal.
A finally, on March 1, the European Film Academy joined the Ukrainian Film Academy in a global boycott of Russian film, excluding Russian films from this year’s European Film Awards. They released a statement that read: “The Academy strongly condemns the war started by Russia — Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory must be respected. Putin’s actions are atrocious and totally unacceptable, and we strongly condemn them.” ~Alexandra Heilbron
Update: On Thursday morning, Netflix announced they would ban all content from Russia on their streaming service.
Comments & Discussion
Similar Articles
Salma Hayek had to be ‘dragged’ to her own wedding
February 8, 2023 | 10 Comments
Salma Hayek married François-Henri Pinault on Valentine’s Day in 2009, but she has revealed that she didn’t know she was being married until that morning.
Bullet Train a violent ride starring Brad Pitt – film review
August 4, 2022 | 2 Comments
Brad Pitt is the glue that keeps Bullet Train together. He carries the film with a sense of calm — mixed with humor — that keeps audiences interested.
The Lost City is a breezy romantic adventure: Blu-ray review
July 26, 2022 | 1 Comment
The Lost City, starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, is a lighthearted romantic adventure that is sure to make you both laugh and swoon.
It’s a start. I don’t think Putin cares about anything though. He just wants to kill and conquer. An assassin needs to be sent in or he’ll try to take over all of Europe. And then he’s coming for us.
Putin is a selfish, power thirsty, psycho dictator. What he’s doing is not for Russia but for his own selfish reasons. The whole world (except a few countries) are telling him to stop invading but he continues to. He ignores even his own people’s cries trying to tell him to stop this. Thousands of Russians citizens, of all ages, protests in the streets and are arrested trying to tell him to stop. What he’s doing is destroying Russia, not just Ukraine. And putting this fragile world into more distress. His actions will have consequences for decades to come, not only for Russia but for the entire world.. He needs to be stopped. He should be removed from the President chair. And to those few countries who support Putin actions, they should wake up & realize that they could be the next country he will invade.
You mean there’s actually anybody sitting in movie theaters over there while bombs are exploding all around & no food is being processed into the country? Ya right………..whatever.
Terry, the bombs aren’t exploding in Russia. Only Ukraine. And Ukraine’s access to food is blocked. Not Russia’s.
It�s great to see mega entertainment corporations wag their finger in a co-opted attempt to stave off another humanitarian crisis. Be even greater if everyone heading for the movies in the states this wknd donated some of the billions they will spend escaping the reality we live in to the NGOs providing practical relief. Even greater if studios produced movies that convinced all the young soldiers to quit murdering children for the meager pay they are offered by the perpetual war machine. SOLDIERS SAY NO.
Patriotism is fascism- in league with dogmatic extremism. Soldiers are the key. Take care of each other. Put your guns down and reach out a hand to serve and protect.