Liu appears at best to be trying to fire up excitement for the release of his major tent pole film, but he absolutely is factually wrong.
For Disney this is an experiment, this is their first tent pole release that is exclusive to theaters for a 45 day window since the start of the pandemic. The others have been same day streaming release. And Disney is very interested in trying to figure out which during a pandemic will allow them a larger boost to their bottom line. It isn't anything specific to this film, its cast, its subject matter. The release pattern (both date, and how it would be available) was made before the Delta Variant become so prevalent. Disney and many in Hollywood, had assumed that greater numbers would be vaccinated and that infections would be far lower than what they have since become.
There have been rumblings that they are are two very vocal groups inside Disney, one pushing for more same day release patterns, and some wanting to be closer to the what we consider a more standard release pattern.
The first group is looking at long term growth and money raised through stock buyers impressions on how the long term viability of Disney + is performing. The 2nd being a group, that is more concerned with actual current earned revenue.
This movie is the first test for Disney on getting a tentpole that isn't a same day release. Thus it is absolutely an experiment for the studio and how they will choose what pattern best works for the studio certainly in the short term, possible a much longer.
Depending on how this release fares. The studio might change the release structure for their latter films, if it seriously is really poor they might start reshuffling their release dates for their planned out films.
