For the last several months, Hollywood has essentially been frozen in place, with many film and television productions having been halted in the wake of the global health crisis. But now, things are beginning to pick up as filming restrictions begin to lift, while some travel bans remain in place. However, it appears that one particular country is making an exception to their ban, and it will allow a certain Marvel show to finally wrap up production.
This week, the European Union announced 14 countries from outside the region whose citizens will be allowed to enter the country. But the U.S was excluded along with Brazil and China.
However, Pavlína Žipková, head of the Czech Film Commission, shared with Variety that cast and crews working on film and TV projects in the Czech Republic will not be subject to the ban, meaning that Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will soon be able to resume production. This will also apply to Amazon’s Carnival Row, which also films in the country.
Through a letter shared with the trade, Žipková stressed that the ban will only apply to tourists and that filmmakers “of all nations” are welcome:
In relation to the EU declaring a travel ban on the U.S., please let me assure you this is not valid for economic workers but tourism travellers only. Filmmakers of all nations are welcome in the Czech Republic.
Many are more than likely happy to know that Marvel and Disney+’s first TV project can finally start back up again, but others may not feel that way. With the halt on tourism travel for the time being, many Americans may feel a bit slighted that only film and TV crews can enter the country. You have to imagine that there are plenty of U.S. citizens who were forced to forgo vacation plans due to what’s going on, and seeing Hollywood productions get the go-ahead may only add insult to injury in their eyes.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was shooting in Prague when production was shut down in March and, since then, there’s been no solid indication as to when production might actually restart. Bucky Barnes actor Sebastian Stan even expressed his uncertainty but also estimated that there should only be a few more weeks of shooting once things pick back up. New Captain America Anthony Mackie also confirmed that there’s “very little” left to film and emphasized that the project would still be moving forward when it was safe to do so.
It’ll be interesting to see how the public reacts to the EU’s new travel guidelines, but Marvel fans are sure to be thrilled that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will soon be jumping back into the final stretch of its shoot.
As of right now, The Falcon and the Winter Solider is still set to premiere on Disney+ sometime in August.
