With the delta variant rearing its ugly head and only half of Americans currently vaccinated, the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging on here in America, with concerning signs that we’re sliding backwards rather than moving past the nightmare. As evidence of that fact, it looks like the major studios are getting cold feet once again about their upcoming releases.
According to Deadline, there are currently “loud rumblings” about Sony potentially shifting the release date for Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which is currently set to be unleashed in theaters on September 24. Deadline reports, “First we heard January, then Oct. 15; Sony hasn’t decided what the new date is or whether they’ll continue to stay put on Sept. 24.”
Additionally, Sony is also talking about moving Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which is currently set for theatrical release on October 1. That film, Deadline notes, could be going direct to streaming. “Again, Sony is figuring out what to do,” Deadline reports.
It would seem that everything is uncertain once again on the theatrical front, which calls into question upcoming releases including The Night House (August 20), Candyman (August 27), and even Halloween Kills (October 15), all of which are currently dated for theatrical release only. Mind you, we’ve heard nothing at the present about any of these films changing their release plans – and it’s probably too late for The Night House or Candyman to make any moves – but the box office any of them had been counting on is likely going to be taking a big hit now that many are still uncomfortable with the idea of returning to theaters. When it comes to Halloween Kills, it’s impossible to know what the state of things will be come October.
After making just $26 million domestically last weekend, The Suicide Squad has likely given studios further pause about the viability of theatrical releases at the moment, though of course it must be noted that James Gunn’s new movie was also released on HBO Max on the same day. Either way, can studios count on audiences showing up here in late 2021?
Stay tuned for more updates as they come in. And please, get vaccinated. It’s truly the only way we’re going to get through this together, and get back to normal as soon as possible.