Part 6/11:
Chapek’s comment that Shang-Chi is an experiment hints at Disney’s lack of confidence in the film’s commercial prospects, especially with a 45-day theatrical window. The company seems to be using multiple pathways, like experimenting with post-theatrical releases, to gauge audience reception while signaling to investors that the movie might not be a blockbuster. Internally, Disney appears to be preparing for a reality in which Shang-Chi and similar films might not meet past performance standards.