The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SONY Pictures has withheld Spider-Man: Brand New Day from Fusion Superplex without explaining why, prompting the cinema to question whether the decision is connected to its recent cyberattack and ransomware incident.

Fusion said its international film booker tried unsuccessfully to secure the movie for its July 31 release and that Sony had not responded to questions about the decision.

“For reasons Sony has not communicated to us, the studio has elected not to license the film to Fusion at this time, despite our account being in good standing with a zero outstanding balance,” Fusion said.

“We did inquire whether this decision was in any way related to the recent cyberattack and ransomware incident, and we are still awaiting a response from the studio.”

Spider-Man: Brand New Day opened in theatres in the United States on July 31, but in The Bahamas it is being shown only at The Island House, a boutique resort and independent cinema.

The Island House announced additional showtimes on social media.

Fusion’s co-founder and chief legal officer, Tecoyo Bridgewater, said Sony licenses films to cinemas on a title-by-title basis.

“Sony Pictures is the distributor for Spider-Man: Brand New Day. As is standard in the industry, films are licensed to exhibitors, including Fusion Superplex, on a title-by-title basis,” Mr Bridgewater said.

Fusion said the limited release had made the film inaccessible to many Bahamians who would ordinarily watch it at its nine-screen complex.

“As it stands, the film is currently available only at a single boutique cinema, making it inaccessible to the vast majority of Bahamians who would ordinarily enjoy it at our nine-screen entertainment complex,” Fusion said.

The cinema said it remains hopeful that Sony will license the film for release on August 7.

Fusion apologised to customers who had expected to see the movie at the cinema.