Hollywood shuffle: Big films get new dates
Even films about impending apocalypses and world crises cannot get us through the very real world crisis we’re living through, at least not this summer.
Studios are holding movies that would have offered viewers an air-conditioned reprieve, all in the hopes that coronavirus cases will slow and theaters can later reopen. That probably shouldn’t happen, according to most public health experts, but we can still talk about these movies until they’re finally released (or studios cave and release them on streaming services, a la “Trolls World Tour”).
These are the films we’re bummed we can’t go see.
They’re all now slated for a theatrical release later this year or in 2021, assuming it’s safe to reopen then.
“TENET” >> The release of Christopher Nolan’s latest head-scratching, big-budget thriller has been continually pushed back, but the studio this week finally announced a Labor Day weekend arrival. We’ll see. It stars John David Washington (“BlacKkKlansman”) and Robert Pattinson and, of course, Nolan’s usual staple of twists aplenty. Target release: Aug. 26 in Japan, Russia, much of Europe, Australia and Canada; Sept. 3 in select U.S. cities.
“WONDER WOMAN 1984” >> This could’ve been one of the big summer blockbusters had it been released on time in June, but the “Wonder Woman” sequel had flitted around the release schedule even before the pandemic began. As of now, it’s set to finally hit screens in October. With Gal Gadot returning in the titular role, this film also features Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal and Chris Pine. It also takes place in the ’80s. Here’s hoping we can enjoy a tubular time at the movies this fall. Target release: Oct. 2.
“CANDYMAN” >> The Jordan Peele-produced horror flick “Candyman” was set to deliver the scares this summer, but it’s been pushed back to October, an appropriately scary release date. The reboot of the 1992 film stars “Watchmen” breakout Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Target release: Oct. 16.
“BLACK WIDOW” >> Scarlett Johansson’s superhero Black Widow was set to get the origin-film treatment in May. It’s Marvel’s second film with a solo female lead (or three, if you consider Florence Pugh and Rachel Weisz as Johansson’s coleads), and this one has actors attempting Russian accents, which will be, uh, interesting. Target release: Nov. 6.
“SOUL” >> Pixar’s latest stab at existential children’s fare — and its first with a Black protagonist — stars Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Questlove and Oakland star Daveed Diggs in the tale of a jazz musician whose soul is stuck in limbo. Originally scheduled to premiere in June, it’s been pushed to an awards-friendly fall release. Target release: November.
“NO TIME TO DIE” >> Well, we don’t have this new James Bond film yet, but we do have Billie Eilish’s song of the same name. The release of the song, of course, was meant to coincide with and promote the release of the film, rumored to be Daniel Craig’s last stint in the Bond role (RIP). At least we can listen to Eilish’s moody vocals while mourning the warm-weather blockbuster we could’ve had. Target release: Nov. 20.
“GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE” >> Do you remember the all-women Ghostbusters team of 2016? Neither does this film, which reboots the franchise to star Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard of “Stranger Things.” Directed by Jason Reitman, son of original “Ghostbusters” director Ivan Reitman, the sort-of sequel roped in original cast members Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Sigourney Weaver, among others. There’s been no word on whether Zuul was offered a cameo. Target release: March 2021.