AMC Theatres has delayed plans to reopen its theaters as cases of coronavirus accumulate in the United States
The company, which with more than six hundred sites, adding two multiplexes in Lehigh Valley, ranks it as the largest cinema chain in the country, will now open its cinemas later this month.
On the websites, AMC announced its goal of reopening on August 20 at Saucon Valley Promenade Shops and August 27 at Valley Plaza Shopping Center, near Catasauqua Road, Hanover Township, Lehigh County.
The challenge of when and how cinema can safely resume and cinemas can largely reopen has been thorny for the exhibition space. This has become even more confusing due to the accumulation of COVID-19 cases in states such as Arizona, California and Florida and the lack of clarity about when primary markets like New York will allow theaters to receive guests.
AMC has postponed its reopening date because several Hollywood blockbusters, namely “Tenet” and “Mulan,” postponed their debuts. The channel had first announced that it would receive visitors on July 15, and then extended that date to July 30.
Earlier this week, Warner Bros. announced that it would take off “Tenet” from the release schedule, but was still planning to release the film at an indeterminate time in 2020. “Mulan” also delayed its release, and other major films are contemplating new release dates.
This is what the 2020 Chicago International Film Festival looks like in the COVID-19 era
In a press that delivered the decision, AMC said that “its new calendar reflects the dates expected lately for long-awaited blockbusters like Warner Bros.” Disney’s “Tenet” and “Mulan”, as well as the dates of several other new films. »
AMC CHIEF executive Adam Aron undermined his efforts to convince the general public that exhibitors were taking each and every precaution when he told Variety in June that consumers would not be required to wear masks in states and counties where this is not mandatory.
His explanation that the film network “had to be embroiled in a political controversy” had the opposite effect, leading to boycott threats. In 24 hours, AMC and Aron changed course, indicating that it would be necessary to dress in a mask.
The display area has been greatly affected by coronavirus closures. AMC has been operating almost without a revenue stream since March, when a build-up of COVID-19 infections led her to close her movie theaters and fire a large portion of her staff.
In recent years, AMC has used debt to revitalize its theaters with new seats and buy competition like Carmike and Odeon. The company ended 2019 heavily indebted, with more than $4.75 billion in corporate loans. Earlier this month, AMC announced that it had reached agreement on its debt and provided more liquidity.
Overseas, it’s older for AMC. Approximately a third of its sites in Europe and the Middle East are in operation lately.
Morning Call reporter Anthony Salamone contributed to the report.