Garden Drive-In in Hunlock Creek is banding together with other drive-in movie theaters across the country in refusing to show Disney’s latest blockbuster, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.”
A Facebook post on the drive-in’s page states it has refused to show the superhero movie to “stand up against the rising demands of Disney and support drive-ins across the county that simply cannot afford to play this film at their demanding terms.”
Film studios receive the large majority of each ticket sale but Disney “felt the need to once again increase their take on those sales,” according to the Garden Drive-In’s Facebook post.
Doug Barbacci, owner of the Garden, would not disclose specific figures because of a confidentiality agreement, but said Disney has asked for a higher percentage of fees.
Disney has also tried to dictate to small and independent drive-in movie theaters which movie to show with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” he said.
“They’re trying to dictate more and more things,” Barbacci said.
Circle Drive-In in Dickson City, on the other hand, is showing the Disney movie this weekend.
Manager Dave Castelli said the Circle Drive-In has a different booking agent that decided to show the movie. He said he couldn’t comment on how drive-in movie theaters do their bookings.
“I wish I had the answers but I don’t,” Castelli said. “Our booking agent decided to work with Disney on this.”
Castelli said Barbacci is his friend and Circle Drive-In also is a family-owned business. Some drive-ins are showing the movie and some are not, he said.
“It has to do with who’s booking their films,” Castelli said. “I do support the Garden’s decision but I don’t make that type of decision at the Circle Drive-In. I think he (Barbacci) has a valid point.”
The stipulations make it more difficult for drive-ins to show Disney films in an already challenging industry, Barbacci said.
“If and when Disney decides to come back down to Earth with their terms, then we will gladly play ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ at a future date here at the Garden,” the drive-in’s Facebook post stated. “This decision isn’t, however, about the Garden Drive-In, or this weekend’s attendance, or even ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ …This decision is about the future of drive-ins and keeping one of America’s great pastimes safe for many years to come.”
Contact the writer:
allabaugh@citizensvoice.com,
570-821-2115