A Morning Consult and The Hollywood Reporter report, which surveyed more than 2000 U.S. adults, says that more than 38% of Americans support the closures of movie theaters due to the Wuhan virus outbreak.
As worldwide governmental heads eye shutdowns of large gathering places, the global film industry is headed towards a $5 billion loss. Although the number of Coronavirus cases in the U.S. is still relatively low, fewer people are willing to risk exposure and go to movie theaters.
It seems as though when it comes to U.S. movie theaters closing down due to the Wuhan virus, it’s not a question of if, but a question of when. Chinese and Italian theaters have already shut down, whereas only half of French cinemas remain open. Of course, more countries are bound to follow suit in the coming weeks, including, potentially, the U.S.
Thus far, only one movie theater so far in the U.S. has closed its doors due to virus concerns.
Saulnier is, of course, the filmmaker behind "Blue Ruin," "Green Room" and "Rebel Ridge." A24 landed this latest project a little over a year ago after a heated bidding war that included Netflix.