Black Widow became the third highest-grossing Marvel origin story during its opening weekend, following Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
What We Know:
- Deadline reported that the first Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film garnered $60 million in sales on Disney+ in two years. Alongside this, Black Widow also earned $80 million domestically and $78 million internationally. Overall, the film produced $218.8 million worldwide.
- Disney+ released the long-awaited Marvel film on the same day it premiered in theatres through its Premiere Access option. Customers could access the title by paying $30; unlike other streaming devices, like HBO Max, which place new films on their service for a limited time, Disney+ users can access the movie whenever they’d like. Since Marvel could not release any movies in 2020 due to the pandemic, fans did not hesitate to pay the fee.
- Black Widow enthusiasts waited for the film for seventeen years. Lionsgate began developing the film in 2004 but did not move forward with the project, as Marvel regained the character’s film rights in 2006. Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow) then entered the MCU in 2010’s Iron Man 2, and actress Scarlett Johansson began talks of a solo film with Marvel. Despite this, Marvel only included her as a supporting character in other movies, most notably the Avengers series. It was not until 2017 that Marvel made her origin story a priority.
- Marvel originally planned to release the film in May 2020. However, they pushed the date to November 2020, then to May 2021, and once again to July 2021. Although Marvel delayed the creation and issuing of Black Widow, it did not disappoint viewers. Audiences and critics alike praised the film for its strong performance and themes.
- Disney+ began streaming movies the same day they appeared in theatres in 2020; they initiated the Premiere Access option by delivering the live-action remake of Mulan to users. The service continued Premiere Access by releasing Raya and the Last Dragon and Cruella. Premiere Access gives movie lovers the chance to watch popular films without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Marvel will also take out three new additions to the MCU later this year. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Eternals, and Spider-Man: No Way Home are all set to come out at the end of 2021. Disney+ has not announced if they will provide the films through Premiere Access yet.
