Walt Disney Studios has adjusted its release calendar, shifting films set for a 2020 release back to 2021 in response to the coronavirus pandemic keeping many non-essential businesses, including movie theaters, closed.
These shifts include pushing The Beatles: Get Back, the highly anticipated documentary directed by Peter Jackson, back to August 2021. The documentary was originally set to arrive in theaters in September 2020 and feature exclusive footage of The Beatles recording their album “Let It Be,” as well as their iconic final live performance on a rooftop in London.
Another film moved to next year is Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which was meant to release October 2020. It has now been moved to January 2021. The Jonathan Butterall- directed adaptation of the U.K. musical tells the story about a teenager’s journey overcoming prejudice and obstacles to become a drag queen.
Disney has also decided to debut live-action and CGI hybrid film The One and Only Ivan exclusively on Disney+ in August. Based on Katherine Applegate’s award-winning novel of the same name, the movie follows the story of Ivan, a 400-pound silverback gorilla, who lives in a communal habitat at a shopping mall along with Stella the elephant and Bob the dog. While he only has few memories remaining of the jungle where he was born and later captured, the arrival of a baby elephant named Ruby sparks something deep within him. She was captured and separated from her family, causing him to question his current life, his past, where he comes from and where he ultimately wants to be.
The film is directed by Thea Sharrock, who gave the following statement: “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,” Sharrock said in a statement. “In response to this, I am so happy that we 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.”
The One and Only Ivan features the voices of Angelina Jolie, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston and Danny DeVito.
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