India restricts release of ‘Captain Marvel’ in Pakistan

[Strike!]

LAHORE: Marvel’s much awaited ‘Captain Marvel’ will not be releasing in Pakistan, informed sources told Pakistan Today on Thursday.

The primary reason being cited by various exhibitors (local cinemas) is escalation of tensions with India. Marvel is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. Disney’s regional offices are based in India.

Sources claim that Eveready Pictures, the main distributor for Walt Disney Pictures in Pakistan, has been unable to negotiate with representatives of Disney India to secure distribution rights for ‘Captain Marvel’.

“Disney India has simply refused to sell the distribution right to the movie. It was supposed to release last week,” a source said.

Exhibitors are now worried that future Marvel/Disney titles might also meet a similar fate.

“We are already facing a drastic fall in revenue due to the ban on Indian films. If big ticket titles from Marvel also stop showing here, cinemas will start closing down,” Shan Lashari, the owner of Sozo World cinema, told Pakistan Today.

Another cinema owner suggested that the Indian issue is just part of the problem; distributors here having learnt from the failure of ‘Wonder Woman’ on Pakistani screens (released in 2017) did not push too hard for ‘Captain Marvel’ which is also a female protagonist standalone film.

Avengers: Endgame which marks the conclusion of Marvel Universe’s third phase is set for release in April and is a highly anticipated movie in Pakistan, especially for content-starved exhibitors who know how well Marvel films do at the box office here. Therefore in order to ensure its release, local exhibitors and distributors have bypassed Disney India and lodged multiple complaints with Walt Disney in the US.

Hoping that the situation improves, Ali Chaudhry, owner of IMAX cinema, said, “We are confident that Disney will see the importance of its footprint in Pakistan and although small, Pakistan’s contribution to its bottom line cannot be ignored. Future IMAX titles like Captain Marvel and other Disney films will release here.”

Multiple phone calls were made to Disney India for comment but there was no response. Emails for the same bounced back.

Following the Pulwama attack on February 14, IAF (Indian Air Force) jets violated Pakistani airspace into Balakot to strike alleged militant hideouts. PAF (Pakistan Air Force) subsequently responded to Indian aggression resulting in a dogfight that saw an Indian MiG-21 being downed and its pilot taken prisoner only to be released three days later as a goodwill gesture. Relations with India are at its lowest point in recent history as a result.

https://movieweb.com/captain-marvel-india-pakistan-ban/

 

[Adijazz1706]

Good news, these movies are dumb

 

[Pakistanian]

This is disgusting. It's like "disney india" is working on behalf of the Indian government and not for Walt Disney/Marvel who they actually should be working for.

 

[ahsan17]

This could easily be sorted out by sending a complaint to Disney. A subsidiary putting nationalism above business interest is likely to get into big trouble. But I suspect there isn't enough demand so no one has given much of a crap.

 

[Bilal_103]

At the end of the day it's all about money. Sooner or later they will sell the distribution rights.

 

[Suleiman]

Not a big deal. But if they do the same for Infinity War II, we riot.

 

[Braveheart]

Just as with Bollywood films, it's no big deal as Pakistanis have lost the appetite generally for everything Indian.
If people in Pakistan are desperate to watch American films, then they will, and 'Mickey Mouse Disney India' will be the loser with the resulting Piracy.

 

[the Great Khan]

Just wait till MS Marvel gets made into a movie. the Indians will never allow it to be released in Pakistan..

on the plus side this looks like a story that isnt entirely true from what i have read on the net. I hear the problem is with the distributor in Pakistan and money issues..

 

[Manager101]

Isme tera ghata, humara kuch nahin jata.

 

[Bhaijaan]

If true Disney India should get the stick from the worldwide distributor and be made to pay heavy fines. Disgusting thing.

 

[CricVet]

I used to watch movies in theaters at least once or twice a month. Now with projection, large screen TVs, and thanks to Torrents, I only visit a theater no more than twice a year if it is worth watching.

MANY Pakistanis I am sure can use torrents and they will not miss much.

 

[CricketCartoons]

I used to watch movies in theaters at least once or twice a month. Now with projection, large screen TVs, and thanks to Torrents, I only visit a theater no more than twice a year if it is worth watching.

MANY Pakistanis I am sure can use torrents and they will not miss much.

What is the Islamic stand on video piracy?

 

[Stewie]

What is the Islamic stand on video piracy?

It is ok as long as it is a kaafir movie

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

It is ok as long as it is a kaafir movie

Spoken like a true Pakistani.

 

[Pete Rose]

If true Disney India should get the stick from the worldwide distributor and be made to pay heavy fines. Disgusting thing.

I dont believe this news. Well, I would be shocked if true. A US business would never take sides in conflict when there's money to be made, even if based in India. A lot of multinational companies based in Pakistan have reporting lines that direct or indirectly pass through India. I dont see any international business allowing that to jeopardize their revenue forecast (even small countries matter) unless the country were under official sanctions.

 

[srh]

https://movieweb.com/captain-marvel-india-pakistan-ban/

I am worried about the news that ‘Wonder Woman’ failed on Pakistani screens. Why?

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Disney’s regional office are holding out for more money.

“The negotiations to bring Disney’s movie Captain Marvel to Pakistan are taking place,” said Eveready Group of Companies General Manager Aziz Pasha. Eveready Pictures is the local distributor for Disney movies and obtains the rights to the movies. It then gives movies to local cinemas to screen for audiences.

“However the case is that some other distribution company has offered Disney three times the money we pay to import the film to Pakistan. Now, Disney wants us to make a higher offer in order to take the film,” he said.

“We have been importing Disney movies to Pakistan for the past five years, and the negotiations will likely be settled at the earliest,” said Pasha. He said if the negotiations are successful, they will be able to screen Captain Marvel in Pakistan.

https://www.samaa.tv/culture/2018/12/captain-marvel-fights-in-space-in-new-trailer/

 

[zn426]

I am worried about the news that ‘Wonder Woman’ failed on Pakistani screens. Why?

An Israeli lead most likely?

 

[CricVet]

What is the Islamic stand on video piracy?

Islam encourages trade my trolling friend

 

[Bhaijaan]

By the way, it's not a great movie.

 

[Bilal7]

Lol, India is such a joke. They want to get nuked over a mediocre movie.

 

[barah_admi]

Captain Mediocre does not matter...Endgame is the movie I am sure most in Pakistan are waiting for.

 

[Adijazz1706]

Almost all superhero movies are mediocre, great films like Unbreakable or The Dark Night are rarities in this genre

 

[PakLFC]

The movie will be full of illuminati symbolism's just like most Bollywood movies are now. The ban is a blessing is disguise. They all sold their soul to dark forces ages back.