If I'm not wrong, he gave Doctor Strange a positive review and said it was the best superhero movie since Spider-Man 2. Maybe Shang-Chi is good enough or just what he want to earn the glory from him.
I would argue the whole movie is bad and doesn't seem like a Marvel Studios work. I have a theory that Kevin Feige is spending most of his time and energies on new characters currently. Shang-Chi and Eternals will prove if the theory is true.
Most studios and local bureau wouldn’t announce or approve a date officially until local government says COVID risks become low enough to let theaters work as usual. So it’s very hard to say. In the very past, the release plan was usually confirmed three to six weeks in advance. Now, it could be just one or two weeks.
$70M opening at this point sound bit outrageous. Many predictions said BW could try $90-100M opening and missed the mark for whatever reason. Maybe it could top expectation, but there are so many factors and reasons that people should lower their expectation.
Yes, things are improving. I heard Sep is expected to be very crowded(same for National Day’s holidays in Oct.). Valentines Day in last week shows people are ready to go back cinema as long as no more new COVID threat. All we need is blockbuster, especially good one.
big chance I think. Feige's interview is a necessary PR action to make Shang-Chi get into China. I even think Chinese Film Bureau advice them to do so. If Marvel and Disney don't make a statement to reduce the concerns, local bureau can hardly give a yes.
Even if it get a release plan at this point, I could hardly imagine it would do way better than Mulan. Both of them had strong buzz at the beginning and missed best release time due to pandemic. And they all get very mixed even bad WOM from core audience after piracy came out.