As studios continue to alter their release calendar for 2020, one release received a surprising change. The WWII battleship drama Greyhound which is written and stars Academy Award winner Tom Hanks has abruptly changed course and will head straight to a streaming service release at Apple.
The film was originally on the Sony Pictures theatrical calendar for Father’s Day weekend, however, the film instead will become the biggest feature film commitment made by Apple to premiere on Apple TV+.
After the COVID-19 pandemic changed most studios’ plans, the film quietly was shopped and quickly became a bidding battle between the big streamers. Deadline first reported that the deal closed in the $70 million range.
The move further confirms that the company is becoming a major player in features, as it continues to add to its film slate. The Apple TV+ slate includes Beastie Boys Story, the docus Dads from director Bryce Dallas Howard and the Sundance acquisition Boys State, and On the Rocks starring Bill Murray, Rashida Jones, and directed by Sofia Coppola.
