Bond was the last straw: Regal and Cineworld are said to be closing all theaters in the US and UK next week

Cineworld, the owner of the largest chain of theaters in the UK and Ireland and the second largest in the US – Regal Cinemas – will close all of its theaters next week, according to varietyAnd the Sunday times, And others.

variety Reports indicate that all 543 theaters in the US will be closed, accounting for more than 7,000 screens in the region. Sunday times It stated that it would be closing all 128 theaters in the UK and Ireland as well.

They both say James Bond is to blame.

Yesterday, the 25th James Bond movie – No time to die – It has been postponed to April 2021 due to the ongoing epidemic, Theaters deprived of their latest major support releases slated for this year. Apparently, theaters were relying on Bond, specifically, to arrive on time and help save them from poor ticket sales.

The news comes as a shock to Cineworld employees, whose working group stated on Twitter that “there was no consultation with staff at all,” and that they learned from Sunday times That 5,500 some of their jobs were in danger.

Cineworld in particular About a loss of $ 1.6 billion In the first half of 2020. AMC, the largest American theater series, Terrible results Because of the epidemic, too.

Disney / Pixar Spirit It’s still due in theaters in November, and both are Wonder Woman 1984 And the Dune It was expected in December, but looks likely to be delayed if these theaters close. At this point, we go beyond mere caution: the dominoes are falling apart.

Cineworld and Regal did not immediately respond to requests for comment. final date Reports The chain was radio silent.