Disney's CGI/live-action film, new movies directly to on-demand.
Because of this, many studios have started plotting out a long term plan when it comes to some of their 2020 releases. Disney, in particular, has already begun shifting around many of its theatrical releases and even setting some of them up to release on its streaming service, Disney+, instead. The first movie to make this jump was Artemis Fowl, and now their adaptation of Katherine Applegate's The One And Only Ivan seems like it will be following suit.
According to Walt Disney Studios, the movie "will premiere exclusively on Disney+ August 21, 2020." The film's director, Thea Sharrock, explained that "The world has changed in a heartbeat. People all over the globe have shared important, life changing experiences in ways we have not seen for a century." She went on to add that she's so happy the team behind the movie "can share Katherine Applegate’s delightful and original story, ‘The One and Only Ivan’ with the world this August on Disney+, bringing some joy through this unique movie of true friendship, inspired by a true story."
Based on the children's book written by Applegate, The One and Only Ivan centers on a 400-pound silverback gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall with Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. He has very few memories about where he came from, however, the arrival of a baby elephant named Ruby who's been separated from her family prompts him to question his life, and his friends' lives, in this shopping mall. The film also has a stellar cast leading it, including Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Angelina Jolie, Chaka Khan, Mike White, Brooklynn Prince, Ron Funches, Phillipa Soo, Danny DeVito, and Helen Mirren.
It wouldn't be surprising if a few more of Disney's theatrical releases started making the jump to its streaming service as well. Even though most movie theaters are aiming to reopen around the middle of July, it will surely be a while before people feel comfortable in large groups again and theaters are able to reach normal capacity. Most importantly, because of this uncertainty right now, it's better to play things safe than sorry. So, it makes sense why Disney has made the decision to release The One and Only Ivan on Disney+ this August instead of having a theatrical run.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
