It’s no secret that COVID-19, aka the coronavirus, has changed a lot in the entertainment industry in the last few weeks. From delayed film releases to big-name blockbusters like Onward going to video-on-demand, there’s been a lot of movement. But one big question people have been asking is: will some movies move directly to streaming services, rather than just getting a later release date?
Up until now, the answer was no but Paramount is looking to see if that strategy is viable. They are sending their upcoming rom-com, The Lovebirds, to Netflix. According to Entertainment Weekly, the studio has decided to set up the film for streaming sometime in the near future, giving people access to it during this time of quarantine and isolation.
For those who haven’t heard of the film, it stars comedians Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani as a couple on the verge of a breakup who end up embroiled in a murder-mystery. You can watch the trailer here:
The move to Netflix over a theatrical release isn’t new for Paramount — they did the same with The Cloverfield Paradox. Does that mean the film isn’t all that good, as was the case with Cloverfield Paradox? Or are they hoping to come out on top, since the market will be flooded in the summer when (hopefully) we’re all allowed to go outside again? Either way, it’s a strategy that could very well endear them to the would-be-movie-going public, and might inspire other studios to do the same.
The Lovebirds will be streaming on Netflix sometime in the next few weeks.
