Regal to temporarily close theaters at the end of this week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – As many as 45,000 jobs could be at stake as movie chain Cineworld, which owns Regal Cinema at Hamburg in Lexington, announced it will temporarily close its movie theaters this week after producers announced the new James Bond film will be delayed until next April.

It’s the latest delay that leaves a opening in schedules that already have been hit hard financially by potential blockbusters holding off on opening and the continued decline in movie attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a news release, the company said the closures take effect Thursday. Combined, all 536 Regal Cinemas in the U.S. and 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse locations in England will close, the release said.

On most movie sites, Regal at Hamburg lists movies through Thursday but nothing beyond that date.

The release does not mention how long the closure might be in effect or any reopening plans. The release said the company would continue to monitor the situation.

Regal is the second-largest exhibitor in the U.S., after AMC Theatres, which has shuttered some of its outlets.

According to the Associated Press, theaters remain closed in New York and Los Angeles. The loss of two of the nation’s largest markets makes it even more difficult on movies.

Regal acknowledged the ;problem i its release, saying: “Without these new releases, Cineworld cannot provide customers in both the U.S. and U.K. – the company’s primary markets – with the breadth of strong commercial films necessary for them to consider coming back to theaters against the backdrop of COVID-19.”

Producers said last week the 25th James Bond thriller, “No Time to Die,” slated to open in November, is being delayed until April 2, 2021, because of the effect of the pandemic on theatrical business.