Most of the delays can be chalked up to scheduling challenges visual effects and post-production houses have faced while working on VFX-heavy projects.
Warner Bros. has bumped back the releases of several of its upcoming feature film tentpoles, including Black Adam, The Flash, Aquaman 2, Wonka, and Shazam 2, Deadline reports.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and The Flash moved from 2022 to 2023 after COVID-related issues created a logjam for many post-production and VFX houses. The former - initially slated for a December 16, 2022 release - is now scheduled for March 17, 2023. The latter, first set to hit theaters November 4, 2022, will now open on June 23, 2023.
Black Adam, which stars Dwayne Johnson, has been pushed three months to October 21, 2022. DC League of Super-Pets will now move to July 29, 2022, Black Adam’s original release date. Super-Pets also stars Johnson - who voices Superman’s canine companion, Krypto the Super-Dog - and was initially expected to open May 20, 2022.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods, on the other hand, is being moved up by a few months; first scheduled for June 2, 2023, it’s now set for a holiday season theatrical stint that starts December 12, 2022.
“We’re thrilled to bring Shazam! Fury of the Gods to audiences as a Christmas gift this year,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros. president of domestic distribution, in a statement. “Families of all ages will really enjoy it.”
Wonka, the Timothee Chalamet-starring Willy Wonka origin story, has also been pushed back several months -- from March 17, 2023, to December 15, 2023. And the Jason Statham-starring shark sequel, Meg 2: The Trench, will now screen for audiences August 4, 2023.
Max Weinstein is a writer and editor based in Los Angeles. He is the Editor-at-Large of 'Dread Central' and former Editorial Director of 'MovieMaker.' His work has been featured in 'Cineaste,' 'Fangoria,' 'Playboy,' 'Vice,' and 'The Week.'
