‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ premiere scuttled in Mexico City; massive theater closings in Mexico

Twentieth Century Fox has decided to postpone the premiere of X-Men Origins: Wolverine set for Wednesday in Mexico City, as the city remains paralyzed by the virus that has killed over 150 people. In addition, the major cinema chains in Mexico City have already announced they will be closed for the weekend, and may end up being closed for much longer.

Hugh Jackman, who was expected to attend the premiere, will now pull back. “We were not only concerned about Hugh’s welfare – and we would never send anyone into harm’s way – but we also have an enormous office filled with people we care about,” says a rep for Fox quoted in People. “There was no point in proceeding under the current conditions.”

Mexico’s film market share is about 13% of the US, so a misfire will make a dent in worldwide box-office. But the bigger concern may be the US– New York is a major market, and more swine flu cases have been reported here. In any pandemic situation, people will be told to avoid gathering in crowds– like movie audiences.

If this keeps up, the only way to watch this film at all will be online. Which, considering how an early version of the film hit the Internet a month early, would be terribly ironic.