The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Receives Exemption From European Travel Ban

Amid the pandemic, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier had its fair share of production delays. Due to Black Widow's theatrical release being delayed, the Disney+ show is now set to kick off the much-anticipated Phase 4 of the MCU, but the continued mishaps in production seemingly hint that the planned release this August will not come into fruition. 

Despite that, lead star Anthony Mackie offered positive remarks about the show's behind-the-scenes progress. Mackie shared that there's "very little stuff to do" in terms of wrapping up the series. In addition, it was previously reported that the show's filming affiliate from the Czech Republic is currently "assessing the option" for when the cast and crew can resume filming in the country.

Now, a new report may offer a glimmer of hope for The Falcon and The Winter to finally resume production after a long hiatus...

REPORT

Variety revealed that the head of the film commission of the Czech Republic has already submitted a letter to Hollywood to "reassure them that the European Union ban on U.S. citizens will not apply to those working in the film and TV production sectors." The outlet shared the content of the letter that was written by Pavlína Žipková, head of the Czech Film Commission: 

“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."

It's important to note that the head of the film commission does, in fact, host The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. 

Žipková also shared that there will be a procedure to guarantee "a smooth cross-border transportation of U.S. filmmakers” and this includes two documents issued by the Czech Film Fund:

"...a ‘Confirmation of Performance of Economic Activities in the Interest of the Czech Republic,’ signed by Culture Minister Lubomir Zaoralek, and a ‘Declaration Concerning Arrival of a Foreign Crew Member’ by the director of the Czech Film Fund, Helena Bezdek Frankova."

Variety also notes that The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is set to resume filming in Prague in the "coming months."

WHAT THIS MEANS

With the entertainment industry currently in wait-and-see mode due to the rising cases of COVID-19, this production update could be a good thing for the Disney+ series. While it is still unknown when actual filming for the show can resume, the film commission's guarantee of smooth cross-border transportation could ease the worries of the cast and crew, but it still doesn't erase the fears of catching the virus. 

Interestingly, another major blockbuster in the form of Universal's Jurassic World: Dominion is gearing up to resume filming in the United Kingdom next month while also firmly establishing an extended list of health and safety protocols in the process. If Marvel Studios meets the requirements of the film commission on time, the studio could take a page from Dominion's extensive list of protocols while also assessing risks in the process. 

There's no doubt that Disney and Marvel Studios will work together to figure out the safest way to resume the show's production. There has been a confirmation of WandaVision doing reshoots next month, but it is still set within the United States. With the case of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, cross-country transportation offers complications, but the confirmation of guidelines and requirements should be enough evidence that filming can resume sooner rather than later.