The coronavirus outbreak has already had devastating effects on human life — but it’s now starting to devastate Hollywood, too!
As government agencies across the globe declare public health emergencies due to the rise of coronavirus cases, studios have decided to postpone or cancel the China runs of several upcoming films, such as James Bond’s No Time to Die, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Mulan.
Since China is a huge force in the worldwide box office, canceling theatrical runs in the country will have a huge financial impact on studios. According to Business Insider, the outbreak could result in more than $1 billion of lost revenue for the film industry.
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Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian explained to the outlet:
“There are so many moving parts and implications, not just for movie theaters but for public spaces in general. The uncertainty is the one thing that is certain. At the end of the year, box-office numbers, particularly regarding China, are going to have an asterisk.”
The outbreak has also caused multiple projects to shut down production — with Mission: Impossible 7 and The Amazing Race hitting pause on their respective shoots — and the postponing of music events in Asia from acts like Green Day, BTS, and Avril Lavigne.
As of February 28, over 83,000 cases of the virus have been reported, and the death toll has risen to over 2,800. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the illness spreads primarily from person-to-person, so naturally people are freaking out. Even celebrities!
Stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, and Brody Jenner have taken to Instagram to spread awareness about the coronavirus by posting airplane selfies while wearing cute facemasks — something the CDC does not recommend people do to protect themselves against the virus.
According to the CDC’s website, the agency “does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 (coronavirus).” It does, however, state that facemasks “should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.”
The agency states that, to prevent infection, healthy people should frequently wash their hands and stay at home if they are feeling sick.
We guess the following facemask-donning celebs didn’t get the memo…
A clear reference to the 2011 film Contagion that (SPOILER) Gwynny didn’t last long in.
What do U think about this mess, Perezcious readers?
[Image via Instagram]
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