Netflix is selecting up “The Lovebirds,” an upcoming romantic comedy starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae.

“The Lovebirds” reunites Nanjiani with director Michael Showalter. Their earlier collaboration, “The Large Sick,” was distributed by Amazon Studios, who gave it a theatrical launch earlier than transferring to streaming.

That is a part of the continuing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has pressured Hollywood studios to scramble as theaters shut amidst a broader push for social distancing. Responses have ranged from delaying main releases to releasing films early, both as digital leases or through subscription streaming companies like Disney+.

Paramount has already delayed a lot of its releases, together with “The Lovebirds” (initially scheduled for April 3) and “A Quiet Place II.” That is the primary time the outbreak has prompted one of many main studios to have cancel a theatrical launch fully in favor of Netflix, however Paramount had an current cope with the streamer and beforehand selected to distribute “The Cloverfield Paradox” through Netflix fairly than theaters.

There doesn’t seem to be an official announcement or launch date but. Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter are each reporting on the deal.

This method doubtless makes extra sense for a mid-budget romantic comedy like “The Lovebirds” than it does for a big-budget blockbuster — however in accordance to The Wrap, Warner Bros. is even contemplating a streaming launch for this summer season’s “Surprise Lady.”