ARTICLE
A lot of Disney movies have been postponed
By Rachelle / 24 Sep 2020 (Thursday)
In the wake of COVID-19’s continued grip on the box office worldwide, Disney has made another round of release-date changes. The studio announced the postponement of the release of some of its blockbusters such as Marvel Studios' Black Widow, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story and Kenneth Branagh’s Death on the Nile by several months to almost a full year.
This shift is made in response to the continued closure of New York and Los Angeles (the two biggest moviegoing markets in the U.S.) in the pandemic but also recent spikes in the UK and other European markets, leading to increased restrictions. As long as the cinemas remain closed, studios do not have a reason to rush out their releases.
Here's a breakdown of Disney's upcoming slate:
The Empty Man - October 22
The Empty Man is a graphic novel feature adaptation which had a release date of December 3 but is now being bumped up to fill the October date left vacant by Death on the Nile. The supernatural horror film stars James Badge Dale, Samantha Logan, Stephen Root, Joel Courtney, Marin Ireland, and Aaron Poole.
Death on the Nile - December 17
Death on the Nile is a follow-up to 2017’s box office hit Murder on the Orient Express. Kenneth Branagh both direct and star in this murder mystery based on Agatha Christie’s novel. The film was originally set to premiere on October 22 but will now bow on December 17.
The King's Man - February 11, 2021
The King’s Man was initially intended to launch this month but is now slated to drop on February 11, 2021, moving ahead two weeks from its previously shifted dated on February 25, 2021. The latest entry in the spy franchise will feature an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, and Charles Dance.
Marvel Studios' Black Widow - April 29, 2021
Marvel Studios' Black Widow makes one of the biggest shift on Disney’s theatrical calendar, going from October 29 to now April 29, 2021, a complete annual delay from its original pre-pandemic release date of April 30 this year.
Marvel Studios' Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - July 8, 2021
Marvel Studios' Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel’s first film with an Asian lead, has moved from April 29, 2021 to July 8, 2021. Destin Daniel Cretton will direct a cast that includes Simu Liu as the titular martial arts hero.
Marvel Studios' Eternals - October 28, 2021
Marvel Studios' Eternals, a comic book adventure about a super-powered alien race, will debut on October 28, 2021. It was previously dated for February 11 of the same year. Chloé Zhao directed the film, which stars Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan and Kumail Nanjiani.
West Side Story - December 9, 2021
Delayed a year is 20th Century and Amblin's Steven Spielberg-directed West Side Story, now moving from December 17, 2020 to December 9, 2021. The movie musical stars Ansel Elgort and newcomer Rachel Zegler as star-crossed Tony and Maria.
Thankfully, the studio has kept the 2020 November release date of Disney/Pixar’s Soul, opening in cinemas November 19.