COVID TURNS HOLLYWOOD’S CALENDAR TOPSY-TURVY
Rising Covid-19 cases has compelled multiple releases to be pushed, again
The rising cases of Covid-19 Delta variant in the US have left many a production house in the lurch, yet again. While Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings enjoyed a big screen release and managed to set cash registers ringing, other big franchises are treading with caution, with makers of several big Hollywood films deciding to push release dates.
Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun:
Maverick, set to be one of the fall’s biggest films, has moved from November 19 to May 27, 2022. This is touted to be a big blow to cinema operators, many of whom were relying on Cruise’s return to the cockpit to incentivise audiences around the holidays, Variety reports.
Also, Cruise’s other film Mission: Impossible 7, which was scheduled to release on May 30 next year, will now premiere on September 30, 2022. Both Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible 7 have faced several delays over the last year-and-a-half, as theatres are yet to see regular footfall.
The release of Jackass Forever has also been shifted from October 22 this year to February 4, 2022. However, this has nothing to do with the lawsuit filed by Bam Margera against the creators. “A lot of people speculate that it was because of Bam and his lawsuit, but no, it’s just because of Covid-19. The comfort level for the public to go to movie theatres has dropped down,” Jackass star Steve-O told TMZ.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife, too, has been moved by just over a week, from November 11 to 19. Other major films scheduled for 2021 include No Time to Die, Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home. But, only time will tell if they will make their slotted release dates.