Covid-19 Impact On Movie Releases
The outbreak of Covid-19 sent ripples through every facet of life, worldwide. One industry that was impacted heavily was film and TV production. Here, we’ll focus on the film side of things (although, I’ll note that production was delayed on personal favorite television series Stranger Things and Fargo, so we’ll have to wait on those).
Below are some thoughts about movies that were pushed back or halted altogether due to the spread of the virus.
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Release Dates Pushed
A Quiet Place II
delayed from March to September 4, 2020
This was most devastating to me personally. The original was my favorite film of 2018 and would probably make it on my all-decade list of the 2010s (hmm, I should make one of those…). The suspense and tension in a film with probably under 100 spoken words was marvelous and I never left the edge of my seat. John Krasinski made a name for himself as a top-notch director here, and I honestly cannot wait until I can see this in a packed theater full of equally excited people.
No Time To Die
delayed from April to November 2020
James Bond films face an interesting dilemma – he’s a storied character with many successful and unsuccessful iterations, but one thing (in my view) holds true – any time a James Bond film is a sequel to the one that preceded it, it suffers. Take the last few for example: Casino Royale was a fresh take on the character that explored his trademark wit and physicality. Then came Quantum of Solace, which tried to double down on his lost love as a motivation for the character, and it failed. Then came Skyfall, one of the best Bond films to date that took the character we know and love and pitted him against himself and his ailing body. Next came Spectre, which looked to build Christoph Waltz as the leader of a villainous organization that presided over the both good and not-so-good villains of the three previous films, effectively lessening their impacts as villains in their own right and thus making a boring addition to the Bond universe. With Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective) directing, we’ll have to see which path this film takes.
Fast and Furious 9 (F9)
delayed from May 22, 2020 to April 2, 2021
I don’t have much to say here. I honestly forgot this movie was even due out this year… I remember the days when these movies were about street racing. I’m not sure a year of delay will be enough to freshen the series for me.
Mulan
delayed from March 27 to July 24, 2020
Hot Take Alert – not a fan of Disney’s live action remakes. The originals were/are classics, but I’ve yet to hear a good reason defending their necessity to be remade. Couple that with my personal feelings on what Disney did to Star Wars, and… well, that may have to be its own article.
The New Mutants
delayed from April 3 to TBD (plagued by delays)
‘twas originally to be released on April 13th, 2018. Then it got pushed to February 22nd, 2019. Then it was pushed to August 2nd, 2019. Then it was bumped a week later to August 9th, 2019. And ultimately, was pushed once again to April 3rd, 2020. The history of this film, it’s intriguing concept, and positive test screening reviews on the level of Deadpool are well documented, so I won’t belabor the point: This film certainly is troubled. Hopefully, one day we’ll get to see it.
Antlers
delayed from April 17th to TBD
Super psyched about this movie. Adapted from a short story of the same name by Nick Antosca and directed by Scott Cooper (Out of the Furnace, Black Mass, Hostiles), it’s a very original and bleak story. Cannot wait to get eyes on this.
MCU
Black Widow – delayed from May 1 to Nov. 6
Eternals – pushed to February 12, 2021
Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings – pushed to May 7, 2021
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – pushed to Nov. 5, 2021
Thor: Love and Thunder – pushed to Feb. 18, 2022
Black Panther 2 – pushed to May 8, 2022
Captain Marvel 2 – pushed to July 8, 2022
I won’t pretend like I know everything about these Marvel characters. I’m curious to see what they do with these new characters after The Avengers arc came to an end, and I think Doctor Strange was a wildly underrated movie, so I think the sequel will be pretty cool (what a f**king title, too!). Thor 4, I’m in. Ragnarok was so funny and I was happy they finally found their footing with the character.
The Woman in the Window
delayed from May 15 to TBD
This movie caught my eye when I saw a trailer earlier this year. Helmed by Joe Wright (The Darkest Hour), I’m interested to see if the concept is as solid as its cast (Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie).
Minions: The Rise of Gru
delayed from July 3, 2020 to July 2, 2021
I have not met one person who’s a fan of Despicable Me or Minions that aren’t obsessed with these little guys. They’ll have to wait a year for the next installment.
Wonder Woman 1984
delayed from June 5 to August 14
This one is interesting for me. I was not a huge fan of the original, although it was met with soaring reviews and box office results. It felt campy and predictable to me, but I will admit it was entertaining and a great turn for Chris Pine and Gal Gadot. Now, adding Pedro Pascal and Kristen Wiig in major roles and boasting a set design that looks like it was pulled straight out of an 80s polaroid, I’ll be in line to see this when it comes out, hoping it delivers on its colorful promise.
Malignant
delayed from August 14 to TBD
James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring) is undoubtedly one of the best horror movie directors of the past decade-plus. Warner Bros. pushed it to make room for Wonder Woman 1984, which makes sense given the times and the need for a big screen splash. Horror movies have really hit their stride lately, fighting back the stigma of being cheap in story and lush with vacant scares. James Wan is one of the biggest pioneers of this recent shift, and I cannot wait to see everything he makes.
Top Gun: Maverick
delayed from June 24 to December 23, 2020
Tom Cruise is going on 58 years old this summer and he is still going as strong as ever. All the flying sequences were shot with real aircraft and not CGI in normal Tom Cruise fashion. When this was announced, I was not sure if we really needed a sequel (still not totally sure…). The sequel brings back Cruise and Val Kilmer, introduces characters played by Jon Hamm, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris, and Miles Teller playing Goose’s son.
Candyman
delayed from June 12 to September 25, 2020
After Get Out and Us, Jordan Peele has inserted himself as a force to be reckoned with in original horror/thriller storytelling. Now, venturing into reboot territory with the cult classic Tony Todd Candyman, I’m curious to see how his unique eye will revamp this story with a fresh lens. After Leigh Whannell successfully rebooted The Invisible Man this year with a refreshing take on an old story, I hope this follows suit.
Free Guy
delayed from July 3 to December 11, 2020
Ryan Reynolds in a movie about a character in a free-roam role playing game that decides he wants to change his preprogramming… the trailer looks awesome. I am excited for this one.
The French Dispatch
delayed from July 24 to October 16, 2020
For those of you who have never seen a Wes Anderson film (and trust me, you’d notice), his distinctive production design and cinematography are iconic. He has a loyal band of actors that follow him like a theater troupe, and also brings on other huge names every time out: Bill Murry, Tilda Swinton, Saoirse Ronan, Elisabeth Moss, Adrien Brody, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Christoph Waltz, Timothee Chalamet, Frances McDormand, Liev Schreiber… and that’s only scratching the surface. Deny this film if you dare.
Indiana Jones 5
pushed to July 29, 2022
Harrison Ford is the only confirmed cast member of this film to date, reprising the title role. He will be 80 years old when this film launches. One must think that they may take a Creed approach, making Indy a mentor the way Sly Stallone’s Rocky Balboa was to Adonis Creed. If not, and it’s Harrison running from boulders and evading capture… I’ll just be amazed he’s capable. Directed by James Mangold (Logan, Ford v. Ferrari), written by Jon Kasdan (Solo: A Star Wars Story), and produced by the originals (Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall), it’s got everything going for it. Sign me up.
Nobody
delayed from August 14 to February 26, 2021
How’s this for a pitch: Bob Odenkirk (aka Saul Goodman), in an action thriller written by Derek Kolstad (the John Wick series), produced by David Leitch (John Wick, Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2). Yes.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage
delayed from October 2, 2020 to June 25, 2021
Venom is an example of the power of movies. My biggest gripe with film criticism has always been when critics slash and burn a popcorn movie for not living up to the standard of the classiest art film ever created. Venom was lambasted by critics but adored by fans. Tom Hardy is a huge draw, and the iconic character did enough to set October box office records (only beaten by Joker), gross $213.5M domestically, and $856M worldwide. Power to the fans, baby. This sequel has Woody Harrelson playing the role of Carnage, and it’s directed by Andy Serkis, known best for his amazing acting prowess in Lord of the Rings and the recent Planet of the Apes trilogy. He directed Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle in 2018, and he looks to build on the momentum of the original Marvel anti-hero movie.
JACKASS 4
pushed from March 5, 2021 to July 2, 2021
Jackass is one of the all time funniest triumphs ever. Johnny Knoxville and his posse have been letting hilarious pranks and astounding stunts fly since 2002 and their films have grossed $335M worldwide. Simply inspiring to a bunch of kids with crazy ideas and a video camera (I know from experience). It will go head to head - for now - with Minions: The Rise of Gru, but I have a hunch there won’t be much crossover in the audiences to signal any reason to worry…
Production Halts
Elvis Presley Biopic
production halted
The film in Australia that Tom Hanks was working on when he and his wife, Rita Wilson, famously contracted Covid-19. They’re alive and well, and hopefully this Baz Luhrmann flick will pick up shooting soon. Austin Hooper (Once Upon A Time in Hollywood…) plays Elvis in this film about his rise.
Mission Impossible 7
production halted
We already touched on Tom Cruise’s age and how he is the Tom Brady of the action movie industry – defying all norms and persistently pushing the bar higher even as he rises in age. While the film is still in the PRODUCTION HALTED section, it’s release was officially pushed today to November 19, 2021. And as if Tom Cruise ever took a break (or a nap), MI:8 is officially pushed to November 4th, 2022. He makes us all feel lazy.
Jurassic World: Dominion
production halted
Plot: an even bigger dino-disaster dooms the forever doomed theme park (just kidding, I have no idea what this will be about, but I can’t be far off).
The Batman
production halted, pushed release to October 1, 2021
Robert Pattinson is a spirited choice for Batman. He’s been in excellent indie films like Good Time, The Lighthouse, and will be in Christopher Nolan’s July sci-fi epic Tenet. Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, War of the Planet of the Apes) is in the chair and holding the pen, and he is looking to take the film in a noir-detective direction. A fresh take on one of the most compelling comic book characters ever will be welcomed and will hopefully be quality.
The Matrix 4
production halted
Keanu is back. Carrie Ann Moss is back. Lana Wachowski is back directing (without sister Lilly). Let’s go.
Avatar sequels
production halted
Four sequels being shot back to back to back to back for releases through 2025… James Cameron is nothing if not ambitious. The original was a theatrical wonder, breaking box office records left and right (since broken, but still) and one would hope that the man behind one of the best sequels ever (Aliens) will have something truly spectacular in store for these follow-ups.
Curious about any release we didn’t cover? Leave us a comment!