Swine Flu May Hurt 'Wolverine' Opening

20th Century Fox's "X-Men Origin: Wolverine" is due to open Thursday but the majority of the capital's theaters are likely to be closed.

Scores of screens owned by exhibitors Cinepolis, Cinemex, Cinemas Lumiere and Cinemark have gone dark and the remaining chains and indies are expected to follow suit. Cinepolis is also shutting theaters in the states of Mexico and San Luis Potosi.

Cinemark and Cinemas Lumiere sites are closed until further notice while others hope to re-open later this week depending on the situation.

The theaters are responding to a request from Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, who has also asked that other public places, such as bars and restaurants, close shop in an attempt to contain the outbreak that had claimed 150 lives by Monday. Schools and public transport have already shuttered.

Lemon Films co-prexy Fernardo Rovzar expressed relief having just wrapped shooting for Kuno Becker vehicle "La ultima muerte" last week.

"Films in theaters, whether they are in their first or 10th week, are suffering, and with them, the distribution companies," he said.

Source: Variety.com