In a bit of shocking news to kick start a Monday morning, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures have officially delayed several highly anticipated releases in next year’s slate of films (and others in 2023).
Here is a list (credit to Deadline and Variety):
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS (Disney) previously dated on 3/25/22 moves to 5/6/22
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER (Disney) previously dated on 5/6/22 moves to 7/8/22
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER (Disney) previously dated on 7/8/22 moves to 11/11/22
UNTITLED INDIANA JONES (Disney) previously dated on 7/29/22 moves to 6/30/23
UNTITLED DISNEY LIVE ACTION (Disney) previously dated on 7/14/23 is removed from schedule
THE MARVELS (Disney) previously dated on 11/11/22 moves to 2/17/23
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA (Disney) previously dated on 2/17/23 moves to 7/28/23
UNTITLED MARVEL (Disney) previously dated on 7/28/23 is removed from schedule
UNTITLED MARVEL (Disney) previously dated on 10/6/23 is removed from schedule
UNTITLED 20TH CENTURY (20th) previously dated on 10/20/23 is removed from schedule
UNTITLED MARVEL (Disney) previously dated on 11/10/23 moves to 11/3/23
The news is highly shocking, considering Disney has been finding admirable success as of late. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s delayed releases means that folks have to wait a little longer for Doctor Strange 2, Thor 4, and the sequel to Black Panther (sadly without the late Chadwick Boseman) to enter the theaters. It’ll most likely work out because their success in 2021 with Black Widow, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the upcoming Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home will provide phenomenal insights into the future. And given that Marvel loves to strike with an early summer blockbuster, this is a minor setback.
Indiana Jones 5, meanwhile, took a massive blow as it will wait another year to release. Audiences will have to wait much longer for Harrison Ford’s return (and seemingly last portrayal) of Indiana Jones
It is possible the stock market played a factor as Disney’s stock dropped 2.2% after Barclays downgraded it from equal to overweight. Therefore, it will lead to a slow growth in Disney+ as they continually try to compete with Netflix. And Disney has become adamant as of late in broadcasting their streaming service because it is making up for lost theatrical revenue for films (ex. Black Widow and Jungle Cruise) and trying to engage a more family-driven audience.
Also, No Time to Die plowed through Shang-Chi’s worldwide earnings (thanks to China), and Venom: Let There Be Carnage could also beat Shang-Chi’s domestic earnings too. Halloween Kills will dominate the rest of October.
The performances of Eternals and Spider-Man: No Way Home will reveal how much Disney gained (or lost) from these announcements.
