In good news for movie lovers, cinemas in China could be set to reopen as soon as the end of this month.
The coronavirus has impacted lives and businesses all across the world. The movie industry is no different and, in China, the world’s second-biggest market has closed its cinemas for months to help deal with the issue.
However, things look like they are improving in China, with the decrease in new cases of the virus leading cinemas to possibly reopen very soon.
Deadline reports: “We are hearing from U.S. industry sources as well as those on the ground in the PRC that the offices of China Film Group in Shanghai and those of China’s Film Bureau are re-opened for business — a sign that the country’s exhibition business is on its way to a gradual recovery after being shuttered since the Lunar New Year due to the coronavirus outbreak. It’s a respite that has cost China’s box office at least $2 billion or more.”
Imax CEO Richard Gelfond adds: “They’re starting to lay out a plan for the re-opening of cinema in China. They’re starting to assess what movies are available, in what time periods and how they want to manage the re-opening.”
Apparently, the reopening of cinemas and the release of films will come in waves across the next several weeks. Initial releases will include past hits such as Wolf Warrior 2 and The Wandering Earth.
SEE ALSO: Global box office decimated by coronavirus as Bloodshot leads weekend with $22.3 million worldwide
Hopefully, this is a sign of good things to come for the industry as a whole and, of course, perhaps a sign that the outbreak will recede as it is reported to have done in China.
