Sony’s plans to release Dec. 8 its animated feature Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs on digital platforms available on certain internet-enabled TVs and Blu-ray players has upset theater owners who are threatening to pull the film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, at least four major theatrical chains are considering pulling Meatballs from theaters because the digital release is too soon after the theatrical release. The chains named in the report are Regal, AMC, Cinemark and Marcus Theatres.
The digital platform release comes almost a month before even the DVD and Blu-ray release of the film, which is set for Jan. 4.
Released in theaters in both 2-D and 3-D versions on Sept. 18, the film is still performing well having grossed $1.3 million last week in just over 1,100 theaters. It has so far grossed more than $120 million at the domestic box office.
The theater count for the film is expected to drop to as few as 300 this weekend, according to The Reporter.
