Will It Become a Mid-Summer Theater Slump... Summer Blockbuster Movies Postponed One After Another

Walt Disney, Universal, and Now Paramount Change Release Schedules

Movie 'Top Gun Maverick' still cut

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has put summer theaters at risk of closure. Following Walt Disney, Universal, Warner Bros., and Sony Pictures, Paramount has also postponed the release schedules of movies targeting the summer peak season.

According to the U.S. entertainment media Variety on the 2nd (local time), Paramount Pictures postponed the release date of "Top Gun: Maverick" from June 24 to December 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the 2nd, the total number of confirmed cases worldwide reached 917,268, with deaths totaling 45,872. Especially in the United States, which leads the film industry, the highest number of confirmed cases (213,372) has been reported. The number of deaths (4,757) is also steadily increasing.

Most theaters in the United States have closed early. They are anxiously waiting, not knowing when they can resume operations. Movies scheduled for release this year have virtually lost their place. Release dates are being postponed one after another. Walt Disney has temporarily delayed the release of "Mulan" and "Black Widow." Universal also changed the screening schedules of "Fast & Furious 9: The Ultimate" and "No Time to Die" to April next year and November this year, respectively.

Movie 'A Quiet Place Part II' Still Cut

Sony Pictures has also joined the trend. "Morbius" changed its release date from July 31 to March 19 next year, and "Ghostbusters: Afterlife" from July 10 to March 5 next year. The animation "Peter Rabbit 2," originally scheduled for August 7, and "Uncharted," planned for March 5 next year, have also adjusted their schedules to January 15 and October 8 next year, respectively.

Paramount Pictures postponed the release dates of "Top Gun: Maverick" as well as "A Quiet Place Part II" (March 20 → September 4), "The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run" (May 22 → July 31), and "The Tomorrow War" (December 25 → TBD). Warner Bros., which previously delayed the release of "Wonder Woman 1984" from June to August, may announce another change in the release schedule. According to local media, this announcement is likely to include "Tenet," which is scheduled for release in July.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.