The COVID-19 crisisOpens in a new tab has affected us all in a multitude of ways. Aside from the personal and societal effects, the pandemic has impacted the entertainment industry. Companies and studios have moved or cancelled films, events, and conventionsOpens in a new tab. For example, Marvel hugely shuffled their upcoming MCU release datesOpens in a new tab. And today Warner Bros. announced that they’re moving the release dates for multiple movies including The BatmanOpens in a new tab, The FlashOpens in a new tab, and Shazam 2Opens in a new tab.
Warner Bros.
As reported by DeadlineOpens in a new tab, Warner Bros.Opens in a new tab shifted their schedule in response to the current global pandemicOpens in a new tab. The biggest news is that the shape of the DC Comics movie universe is changing rapidly. Matt Reeves’ The BatmanOpens in a new tab will now be released on October 4, 2021 instead of the original release date of June 25. After the massive billion dollar success of The JokerOpens in a new tab, which opened around the same time last year, WB is likely not too worried about this move. And it makes sense with The Batman’sOpens in a new tab London based production currently halted due to the COVID-19 crisis.
The next bit of DC news is that Andy Muschietti’s The FlashOpens in a new tab has actually been moved up a month to June 2022. And finally, the Shazam sequelOpens in a new tab has been moved back to November 2022. So basically it’ll be a while until we see what the next phase of the DCEU looks like post-Wonder Woman 1984Opens in a new tab.
Warner Bros. didn’t only move comic book movies though. They shuffled the Sopranos prequel, The Many Saints of Newark, from its September 2020 release to March 12, 2021. That means it’ll be opening against Disney’s recently moved Raya and the Last DragonOpens in a new tab. Other impacted films include Will Smith’s King Richard (moving to November 2021) and Baz Luhrmann’s eagerly awaited Elvis project. The film starring Tom Hanks has been dethroned by The BatmanOpens in a new tab‘s new release date. It will now debut on November 5, 2021.
Warner Bros.
It’s unlikely these will be the last cinematic release slate changes. Keep checking back as we’ll be here with everything you need to know about the ever evolving landscape and how it affects your favorite movies.
Featured Image: Warner Bros.
