Disney CEO Bob Chapek Mum on 'Mulan' Streaming Numbers - But Teases Future PVOD Movie Releases

Disney CEO Bob Chapek remained mum on viewership data for “Mulan,” which premiered on Disney’s streaming service Disney+ in September, but said they were “pleased” enough with the results to see a future with premium video on-demand movie releases.

“From a studio content standpoint, we were very pleased with the results of ‘Mulan’ as a premiere access title,” Chapek said on the investor call on Thursday. “Unfortunately, that title was met with some controversy in the U.S, and internationally, but we saw enough positive results before that controversy started to know that we have something here in terms of the premiere access strategy.”

He added: “There’s going to be a role for it strategically in our portfolio of offerings.”

Also Read: Inside the 'Mulan' Flameout in China and Why Hollywood Can't Seem to Bridge the Culture Gap

Former DTC head Kevin Mayer had previously warned that the company would most likely never release viewership info. Nielsen Data released last month said the film was viewed for an estimated 525 million minutes in the U.S. in its first three days of availability for purchase on Disney+.

“Mulan” was released Sept. 4 on Disney+, skipping a planned domestic theatrical release due to the coronavirus pandemic and testing the waters for a PVOD model. The film cost $29.99 on top of the monthly subscription fee for Disney+ ($6.99 per month or $69.99 per year), but rather than a rental, viewers who purchased the film will have access to it for as long as they’re subscribers of Disney+.

Also Read: Disney Defends '78 Seconds' of 'Mulan' Footage Filmed in China

The film faced political controversy. Chinese moviegoers mostly rejected the new remake of “Mulan,” seeing the film as the latest example of an American take on Chinese culture. Additionally, there was growing controversy over the involvement of Xinjiang police in the filming of “Mulan,” which prompted a response by U.S. lawmakers. In the film’s credits, police in the northwest autonomous region where Uyghur Muslims have been placed in mass internment camps were listed in the Special Thanks section, prompting a backlash in both the U.S. and Hong Kong, where backlash to “Mulan” had persisted for months after star Liu Yifei voiced her support for police stifling Hong Kong independence protests.

Disney Pixar’s “Soul,” which was originally intended to be a theatrical release, will debut on Disney+ next, on Dec. 25.

16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.
"Jungle Cruise"

Okay, okay, "Jungle Cruise" might not count as live-action film based on a previously animated classic, but it is based on a ride at Disneyland, so we're going to include it. Plus, we'll take any chance to talk about Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt in the same sentence. It will hit theaters July 24, 2020.
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"The Little Mermaid"
So now we're getting into films that are in some stage of development but haven't necessarily been slated for release. After all, Disney has so many untitled films slated, it's hard to count. But a live-action version of "The Little Mermaid" has been long discussed, as it is arguably one of the most popular and profitable movies in Disney's vault. Rob Marshall is on board direct, with Halle Bailey set to star as Ariel and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula.
Disney
"Pinocchio"

"Pinocchio" is also in the works, with Tom Hanks playing Geppetto.
Getty Images/Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"The Jungle Book 2"
This is a no-brainer follow-up to Favreau's hit from spring 2016, based on the animated classic released in 1967.
Disney
"Snow White"
Forget her sister -- the original baddest chick in the Disney animated kingdom is coming back for her own standalone film. It was announced at the end of October 2016.
Disney
"Aladdin"
"Hercules"
Disney
"Peter Pan"
Neverland will get a practical set if Disney has its way updating the 1953 animated film.
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"James and the Giant Peach"
In one of the more interesting adaptations, this beloved Roald Dahl book became a quirky claymation hit for Disney in 1996 with director Henry Selick. Heavy dramatist director Sam Mendes was attached to take a stab at it, but he has since dropped out.
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"Hunchback"

In early 2019, a live-action film based on 1996's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was announced. Tony-winning playwright David Henry Hwang was tapped to pen the script, with Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz handling the music.
Disney
"Tinker Bell"

This movie has also been in the works for quite some time, with Reese Witherspoon attached as the cute little fairy from "Peter Pan."
Disney
"Bambi"

In January 2020, Disney hired Geneva Robertson-Dworet (“Captain Marvel") and Lindsey Beer (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”) to write the script for the live-action remake of the 1942 animated classic.
"Oliver Twist"
While Disney never formally made a direct animated take on Charles Dickens' beloved orphan, the studio did release the adorable 1988 "Oliver and Company," inspired by Dickens' tale but told with animals. The studio also made a small-screen live-action version in 1997 with Richard Dreyfuss.
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"Lilo & Stitch"

This project was announced in October 2018 with Mike Van Waes attached to pen the script. Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich of Rideback are producing. In November of last year, it was announced that Jon M. Chu was in early talks to direct.
Disney
"The Lion King" Sequel

In September, it was announced that Barry Jenkins would direct the follow-up to Jon Favreau's 2019 hit. The logline is being kept under wraps, but Deadline reported that the film will explore the mythology of the other characters in Pride Rock, including Mufasa’s origin story.

No release date for the next film has been set, and it’s unclear when production would begin. No cast has been set either.

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The studio is raiding its vault to remake classics including ”The Little Mermaid“

Disney will be pumping out live-action versions of their animated classics for a long time time to come. Here's a list of titles in the works, including the release date of the original.

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16 Disney Live-Action Remakes of Animated Hits in the Works (Photos)

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