The U.K.’s biggest cinema chains are set to boycott Tim Burton’s "Alice in Wonderland," due March 5, because of a dispute with Disney over the release window.
Disney wants to cut the gap between the theatrical opening and the DVD release to just 12 weeks, down from the standard 17 weeks. The big exhibitors refuse to book any film that doesn’t have a guaranteed four-month theatrical run.
If neither side climbs down, the 3D film will not play at any Odeon, Vue or Cineworld site across the country, representing 95 percent of the U.K.’s 3D screens.
That means Disney would forfeit a substantial amount of the film’s projected £40 million U.K. box office gross.
