Remember all those movies shifted to December theatrical premieres? Well…what you probably guessed would happen, did happen. Free Guy and Death on the Nile have been pulled from the December release calendar.
Ryan Reynolds’ Free Guy originally planned to debut as a summer blockbuster. After the COVID pandemic closed theaters, the release moved to December 11. But even when a trailer dropped last month, the cast chimed in with a separate clip letting fans know that date might not work out.
Right now, Free Guy doesn’t have a new release date. (But to be fair, it’s probably easier on all of us if the studios stop announcing a new date, only to push it back again every few months.)
In a similar boat – excuse the pun – is Death on the Nile. The adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel switched dates in October before moving to a December 18 release. Again, a new release date hasn’t been set.
Both movies come from Disney via 20th Century Studios. Disney had previously announced a dramatic delay in its Marvel film slate. The studio has also been moving select titles to streaming debuts via Disney+. Its next major animated feature from Pixar, Soul, debuts on Disney+ this Christmas.
Are We Getting Wonder Woman In December?
If you’re still keeping track of the theatrical release calendar, you’ll see the exit of Free Guy and Death on the Nile leaves just one blockbuster still scheduled to debut in December.
Director Patty Jenkins previously insisted it was important to the cast and crew that Wonder Woman 1984 gets a theatrical release. (Undoubtedly, that’s also important for Warner Bros.’ bottom line.)
But with another wave of COVID hitting hard, will theaters be open this December? And if they are open, will WB be willing to release another blockbuster after Tenet’s middling performance this summer?
Personally, I’m not betting on Wonder Woman swooping in to save 2020.
Source: Hollywood Reporter