Why Did Disney Hold Off on Releasing ‘Sound of Freedom’ for Five Years?

In recent years, Disney has been the poster child for blockbuster filmmaking, with its Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny setting box office records. However, the release of Sound of Freedom, a film with a similar backstory, has experienced a much different fate. This article delves into the reasons behind Disney's decision to delay the release of Sound of Freedom for an unusually long period.

An Analysis of Box Office Performance

Let's take a look at the box office performance of both films to understand the context. According to IMDb, as of September 21, 2023, Sound of Freedom has grossed about 211.6 million worldwide, impressive despite its budget of 14.6 million. On the other hand, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has grossed 382.9 million worldwide, with a budget of 294.7 million. Clearly, Indy 5 has outperformed Sound of Freedom in terms of financial returns.

It's important to note that these figures don't necessarily reflect the quality or the success of the film, but rather the marketing and distribution strategies employed by the filmmakers. The world has welcomed the Indiana Jones franchise with open arms, while Sound of Freedom seems to have been overlooked for various reasons.

The Strange Case of Sound of Freedom

The title Sound of Freedom might sound familiar to hardcore moviegoers, but most of us haven't heard it before. The Sound of Freedom case is intriguing because it involves a film that was sitting on the shelf for five years before finally seeing release. Here's a breakdown of what happened:

The Release Timeline

As of August 9, 2023:

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny: 41 days in release, 171,510,139 domestic, 198,095,921 international, 369,606,050 total. Sound of Freedom: 37 days in release, 167,158,912 domestic, no international.

These numbers clearly show that Sound of Freedom was not a rival to Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Instead, it was a film that had to wait for the right moment to be released.

The Complicated Merger

The distribution rights for Sound of Freedom were acquired by a Latin American subsidiary of 21st Century Fox just before The Walt Disney Company acquired Fox in March 2019. Disney claims that they were unaware of the film at the time of the acquisition, but many observers find this hard to believe. A more likely explanation is that the film was overshadowed by the enormity of the merger and was simply put on the back burner.

Disney's Perspective

Disney is a company that focuses on big-budget, IP-driven films. When they acquired 20th Century Studios, they were looking at a portfolio that included Sound of Freedom. However, the film didn't fit with Disney's broader entertainment strategy. The subject matter of child trafficking is too gruesome for Disney's focus on escapist entertainment. Additionally, the film was a low-budget production, which didn't align with Disney's priorities.

As a result, Disney decided to hold off on releasing the film. While they didn't cancel the project, it was not a priority to market and distribute it. The distribution and marketing costs would be too high for a low-budget film, especially one with a controversial theme.

The Resurgence of Sound of Freedom

It wasn't until 2023 that Sound of Freedom saw the light of day. This delay wasn't due to Disney's lack of interest but rather their focus on bigger, more lucrative projects. Angel Studios came in with the resources to purchase the distribution rights, offering a way for the film to be released.

Conclusion

While Disney has many reasons to focus on its big-budget, high-revenue-generating films, Sound of Freedom highlights the complexities of film distribution and marketing. This case offers a unique insight into the decision-making process behind the release of a film.

The takeaway is that the success of a film isn't always about the budget or the cast; it's about aligning with the right distribution strategy, marketing, and, most importantly, the market demand. Sound of Freedom is a testament to the unpredictability of the film industry and the importance of timing and the right market conditions.