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(Reuters) – Warner Bros said Monday night it is delaying the release of films “Dune” and “The Batman,” another setback for the entertainment industry hit by pandemic COVID-19 shutdowns and distancing measures. social media that cinemas have closed around the world.
“Dune,” a science fiction film directed by Canadian director Dennis Villeneuve, is scheduled to open in October 2021, rather than December. The release of “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson, has been moved to spring 2022 from October next year.
Movie releases have been delayed even after restrictions were eased, with people still wary of entering movie theaters and many theaters are still not operational.
On Monday, the second largest cinema chain in the world, Cineworld SAUCER, decided to temporarily shut down its cinemas in the UK and the US in an attempt to survive the collapse of film-making and cinema attendance.
Credit rating agency Fitch quickly downgraded the company.
“Our base case projections indicate that the company’s current liquidity levels can only be sufficient through November to December 2020, assuming there are no extensions to the revolving credit facility (RCF),” Fitch said in a statement.
Previously, filming for “The Batman” was also closed for two weeks after a member of the production, said to be Pattinson, tested positive for the new coronavirus. Filming resumed in Britain last month and Warner Bros. never confirmed or denied the reports of Pattinson’s diagnosis.
“Dune” has gained a lot of traction for its cast which includes 24-year-old Timothee Chalamet, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the 2017 film “Call Me by Your Name.”
Other big-budget Warner Bros movies that have delayed their release include “Tenet” and “Wonder Woman 1984.”
The release of the new James Bond film “No Time to Die” from MGM and Comcast Corp’s Universal Pictures was also delayed until April 2021.
Reporting by Vishal Vivek in Bengaluru and Lisa Richwine in Los Angeles; Bernard Orr Editing
