Fans who have been hoping to get backinto the movie theaters in 2021should prepare themselves for some more disappointing news. With theaters all across the country still closed, it’s likely some of the major blockbuster set for release in the coming months will be pushed back again.
Despite the promising news of vaccinations on the way,Varietytook a hard lookat the upcoming release calendarand determined studios will almost certainly be announcing new plans for their biggest 2021 movies. While this most certainly means delays for the big releases scheduled for February and March – such asCinderellaandThe King’s Man– studios will soon have to make some tough decisions about the summer blockbusters likeBlack WidowandFast & Furious 9as well.
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AsVarietypoints out, movies likeCinderellaandThe King’s Manhave been very quiet with advertising despite the looming release dates which likely means studios have already made the decision to delay these titles. Since the story broke, Sony has indeedannounced plans to moveMorbiusfrom its March 19 release to June 16, 2025. While the summer blockbusters may seem to have more time to wait and see, they will also need to start their marketing campaigns shortly if they plan to stick to their releases. Within the next few weeks, studios will have to choose between risking their biggest moviesin an uncertain theater marketor pushing them back yet again.
The latest round of expected delays comes a little over a month afterWarner Bros announced their controversial plansto release their 2021 movies simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. The move was met with considerable backlash from rival studios and filmmakers. However, in light of this recent news, such release plans may be considered by other studios. Yet even this likely wouldn’t save the biggest summer blockbusters from losing money which is why some movies will undoubtedly continue to shift their release dates until theaters are fully open for business.
With most people hoping 2021 will be the year the world starts getting back to normal, news that things will largely be the same for at least half the year is a hard pill to swallow. It is frustrating seeing these release dates come closer only to be moved once again. But as with so many things affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is so much uncertainty that it is nearly impossible to plan for the future. Still, streaming options and day-and-date releases will at least offer movie fans some safe options as we all wait to go back to the theaters.
