Even though we're only a few months into the new decade, the 2020s have already been defined
by an international health crisis known as COVID-19.
After originating in the Wuhan province of China, this particularly dangerous form of
coronavirus has spread throughout the world at a much faster rate than most could have
anticipated, creating a worldwide atmosphere of fear as a virus deadlier than the seasonal
flu strikes the most vulnerable populations.
To try and prevent the incredibly rapid spread of COVID-19, some countries are limiting travel
and closing their borders after a terrible outbreak, Italy placed limits on all travel
and put its residents under a strict quarantine, essentially closing some of the world's most
historically relevant major cities and unsurprisingly, this shutdown is also affecting the entertainment
industry in a big way.
Film festivals and premieres are getting rescheduled and canceled right and left, and between quarantined
shooting locations, contaminated cast and crew members, and concerns about crowds attending
new movies, a lot of projects have ground to a screeching halt in the face of COVID-19.
One of the first cinematic casualties of COVID-19 was the final outing for Daniel Craig as James
Bond, halting one of the biggest movies of the spring season.
In early March of 2020, MGM, Universal, and the producers of No Time to Die announced
that the film's original release of April 10, 2020 would no longer come to fruition,
and the film would instead have to wait until November 25, 2020.
"You're late."
In a statement obtained by the BBC, the producers explained their reasoning, saying,
"Just one person, who may not even show symptoms, could infect the rest of the audience.
It's just a movie.
The health and well-being of fans around the world, and their families, is more important.
We have all waited over four years for this film.
Another few months will not damage the quality of the film and only help the box office for
Daniel Craig's final hurrah."
Though some Bond fans will definitely be disappointed by this delay, it's clear that the reasoning
behind the choice wasn't just sound, but extraordinarily considerate to those most affected by this
virus.
Certainly, Craig and crew wanted fans to see their newest film as soon as possible, but
this humane and prescient decision will absolutely protect people from this viral outbreak, as
well as drum up even more anticipation for Craig's final Bond film.
As COVID-19 spreads, the atmosphere surrounding this pandemic is becoming more tense and frightening,
and as such, a stark dystopian tale about an alien apocalypse might not be a huge theatrical
success right at this exact moment.
That might be just one reason as to why A Quiet Place Part II, the sequel to John Krasinski's
directorial horror debut which premiered to rave reviews in 2018, has been officially
placed on the backburner for the spring release season.
In a statement, Paramount announced that though they were placing A Quiet Place Part 2 on
a temporary hold, they don't yet have a new release date for the film, which finds Emily
Blunt's character trying to protect her family in a world where monsters can track your every
sound.
Producers for the movie said in a statement,
"After much consideration, and in light of the ongoing and developing situation concerning
coronavirus and restrictions on global travel and public gatherings, Paramount Pictures
will be moving the worldwide release of A Quiet Place Part II.
We believe in and support the theatrical experience, and we look forward to bringing this film
to audiences this year once we have a better understanding of the impact of this pandemic
on the global theatrical marketplace."
The CW's wildest teen show is also facing delays as a result of COVID-19, leading the
residents of Riverdale in the lurch.
The Archie Comics adaptation, which also faced a series of hardships in 2019 due to the unexpected
death of series star Luke Perry, was forced to halt production as a result of possible
contamination.
The Hollywood Reporter announced that the Vancouver-set production put a hold on shooting
its upcoming fourth season, out of an abundance of caution after someone on the show's team
may have come in contact with the virus.
At the time of the announcement, the delay was open-ended.
Though Riverdale fans will undoubtedly be disappointed, the health of the cast and crew
is obviously the most important consideration for the show.
If fans were hoping that the next Fast & Furious film would arrive on... well, a fast and furious
schedule, it looks like they'll be disappointed.
"You think this is a joke?
Huh?"
In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, Fast & Furious 9 is facing a serious delay, moving
its release date by a full year to accommodate audiences trying to avoid this virus.
Universal Studios announced that the film would be delayed nearly a full year, jumping
from May 22, 2020 to April 2, 2021.
As the team said on Twitter,
"We feel all the love and the anticipation you have for the next chapter in our saga.
That's why it's especially tough to let you know that we have to move the release date
of the film.
It's become clear that it won't be possible for all of our fans around the world to see
the film this May."
Though the Fast & Furious crew knows their fans are bummed, they reassured their loyal
followers that the decision was made with safety in mind:
"While we know there is disappointment in having to wait a little while longer, this
move is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration.
Moving will allow our global family to experience our new chapter together.
We'll see you next spring."
Even the Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't immune to coronavirus concerns.
Along with several other Disney projects, the upcoming Disney+ show The Falcon and the
Winter Soldier, which follows Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan as Sam Wilson and Bucky
Barnes, has been delayed due to this growing pandemic.
Exactly what effect this will have on the series' intended Fall 2020 premiere remains
to be seen.
"That's smart.
Good strategy."
The production was shut down while filming in Prague, in the heart of the Czech Republic.
Stan took to Instagram to address Marvel fans, lavishing praise upon Prague and the production
itself with the caption,
"Prague.
What a city.
We've been shooting TheFalconAndTheWinterSoldier and experiencing one of the most beautiful
cities in the world filled with the most wonderful and welcoming people.
Now we are being sent home.
Too soon.
Prague, you're gonna be in my thoughts for a long time.
Thank you.
Will be back.
Thinking of you."
These two superheroes might be unstoppable in the MCU, but COVID-19 has put their story
into cryo-freeze for now.
In the midst of a frightening pandemic, audiences are looking for escapist fare more than ever,
but unfortunately, some upcoming romantic comedies are getting shelved until further
notice due to the virus.
One such casualty is The Lovebirds, Paramount's upcoming rom-com starring Issa Rae and Kumail
Nanjiani, which has been pulled from the studio's lineup.
Ahead of its planned April 3, 2020 release, the Michael Showalter film has been placed
on an indefinite hold, with no new release date announced just yet.
Fans of animated Disney classics — and their live-action remakes — were surely disappointed
when the studio announced that their highly anticipated live-action reboot of Mulan would
also face delays due to the coronavirus crisis.
Before the film's planned release on March 27, Disney broke the news that Mulan would
simply have to wait.
"It is decided.
Come and sit down."
Per Niki Caro, the film's director, the decision was made out of respect to the global pandemic,
and she took to Instagram to explain the film's unfortunate delay, writing, in part,
"We are so excited to share this film with the world, but given the current ever-shifting
circumstances we are all experiencing, unfortunately, we have to postpone the worldwide release
of MULAN for now.
Our hearts are with everyone the world over who is affected by this virus, and we hope
that Mulan's fighting spirit will continue to inspire those who are working so hard to
keep us all safe.”
Currently, there's no new release date set just yet for Mulan.
Sometimes, when a film faces delay after delay after delay, it seems like it might never
see the light of day; unfortunately, that seems to be the case for the X-Men spin-off
The New Mutants.
After facing multiple delays due to a number of factors, including Fox's acquisition by
Disney, and rumors of reshoots that apparently didn't even end up happening, The New Mutants
has been delayed yet again thanks to the ongoing threat of coronavirus.
This news comes after questions over whether or not Disney would even release the film,
which was one of the holdovers from Fox's theatrical schedule, but it ended up with
an April 3rd release date...
“Not anymore.”
… only to be pulled yet again, with no new release date as of the making of this video.
Smaller films are likely to take an even bigger hit when it comes to delayed releases.
Antlers, a daring indie horror film starring Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons, is just one
example.
With a planned April 17th release by Searchlight Pictures, Antlers, which is directed by Crazy
Heart helmer Scott Cooper and produced by horror auteur Guillermo del Toro, has been
delayed by parent company Disney.
Like some of Disney's other delays, including the much pricier Mulan and The New Mutants,
Antlers also has no planned release date as of the making of this video.
The coronavirus-related delays and cancellations are coming out of Hollywood at a fast and
furious pace, indeed, per Variety.
As of the making of this video, you can add CBS reality TV staples Survivor and Amazing
Race to the list.
Both shows have temporarily shut down production on their current seasons.
Season 2 production of Apple’s The Morning Show, starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer
Aniston, is also going on a two-week hiatus, effective immediately.
Long-running hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy is also getting delayed, but the diagnosis
isn’t too dire.
The current season is basically in the can, with 21 out of a planned 25 episodes filmed.
Out of an abundance of caution, however, the showrunners have halted production “for
at least two weeks” in response to the virus.
As for films, production on the Baz Lurhmann directed “Untitled Elvis Project“ has
been halted, along with the highly anticipated Mission Impossible: 7 with Tom Cruise and
the comedy Official Competition, starring Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas.
And sorry, kids: the release of Sony’s Peter Rabbit 2 has been pushed back from late March/early
April to August 2020.
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