Social media is in a tizzy over the just released character posters of the primary cast of Marvel‘s highly awaited film, Black Widow. Marvel and superhero fans are super excited for the film as the release date of the film nears. Delayed by a year in anticipation of the pandemic easing off and theatres opening up, Black Widow has now opted for a hybrid release. It will release simultaneously in theatres and on Disney+ Premier Access on July 9.
However, Black Widow and Scarlett Johansson fans in India will have to wait much longer to be able to watch Black Widow. Disney Plus Hotstar – the Disney Plus streaming service in India – does not have provision for Premier Access. Premier Access is Disney Plus’ version of paid video-on-demand (PVOD). Disney Plus subscribers have to pay an additional amount – most likely $30 – to be able to watch premium films on Disney Plus. Mulan and Raya And The Last Dragon both released under the Premier Access model on Disney Plus.
Since Disney Plus Hotstar does not have any provision for Premier Access in India, the films that release under Premier Access stream as standard OTT releases for Disney Plus Hotstar users. The only hitch is this – the films release three months after their theatrical and Premier Access release. Which effectively means that Indian viewers will be able to stream Black Widow on Disney Plus Hotstar only on 8th October, 2021.
It’s either that, or watching Black Widow in theatres – wherever they are operational. Looking at the current Covid-19 situation in the country, the outlook regarding reopening of cinema theatres is grim. Cinemas in India aren’t reopening any time soon. So dear readers, your wait to watch Black Widow just got longer!
This is the first time since the launch of Marvel Studios that no Marvel movie has released for a full two years. For Indians, it will be even longer. The last Marvel film to release had been Spiderman: Far From Home, on 2nd July, 2019.
Black Widow tells a bit of the back story of Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, a Russian KGB agent turned Shield Agent turned Avenger. Black Widow takes place in the time between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame, with Natasha on the run after she goes against the Sokovia Accords. While on the run, Natasha faces off against the enigmatic Taskmaster. Starring alongside Scarlett Johansson are David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, and O. T. Fagbenle. The actor behind Taskmaster is a mystery.
To sum up, Black Widow will release in theatres in India on 9th July, along with the rest of the world. But if you plan to watch it on Disney Plus Hotstar, then 8th October is the day to mark in your calendars!
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