With so much attention focused on recent movies headed to digital and the delayed release dates for upcoming blockbusters, it’s easy to forget the domino effect the coronavirus outbreak has on all film productions. That includes movies that aren’t due to open until 2021, and may not have even begun shooting yet. According to Variety, some of the most high-profile studio projects are going to see their release dates moved as a result of the epidemic.
The Matrix 4, The Batman, Red Notice, Mission: Impossible 7 and others have seen their productions stalled due to the outbreak. With so much uncertainty about when the could ramp up again, many of them will see their 2021 release dates delayed. There’s an outside shot these films make their original target dates, but it’s unlikely.
There’s an avalanche effect to all of these stoppages, too. Big, in-demand stars such as Chris Pratt (working on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Tom Holland (Uncharted), and Dwayne Johnson (Red Notice) could see their availability limited as schedules shift. The report quotes a source who says “the expectation is that in-demand stars such as Chris Pratt in ‘Jurassic World: Dominion’ or Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in ‘Red Notice’ will be able to convince forthcoming productions to move their start dates further into the future so they can finish shooting.”
Interestingly, Marvel has yet to move Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as work on that continues remotely. This is surprising considering the other problems the sequel has faced, including the loss of director Scott Derrickson in favor of Sam Raimi. Filming is still set to begin in June as normal.
