Sony Pictures has made significant changes to its release calendar, impacting the highly anticipated films "Kraven the Hunter" and "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse." The delays come as dual union strikes continue to disrupt day-to-day operations in Hollywood, creating challenges in opening major fall movies without star talent participation.
"Kraven" shifts to August 2024
Aaron Taylor-Johnson's eagerly awaited Marvel project,
"Kraven the Hunter," has been moved from its originally planned
October 6 release this year to August 30, 2024. This decision is crucial, as
leading man Taylor-Johnson would require ample time for a worldwide press tour
to successfully launch the visceral action film next Labor Day.
"Beyond the Spider-Verse" Undated
The third film in the blockbuster animated franchise,
"Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," initially scheduled for March
29, 2024, has been removed from the release calendar. Due to union work
stoppage orders, the voice cast is unable to complete the dialogue recording in
time for the planned spring opening. A new release date is expected to be
announced soon by Sony.
"Ghostbusters" Sequel Pushed to 2024
The planned sequel to "Ghostbusters: Afterlife,"
which garnered over $200 million at the global box office in 2021, has been
rescheduled from its original Christmas corridor release on December 20, 2023,
to Easter weekend next year, on March 29, 2024.
Other Date Shifts
Sony's reshuffling of release dates extends to other
projects as well. The "Karate Kid" reboot moves from June 7, 2024, to
December 13, 2024, while the Blumhouse project "They Listen" is now
undated, previously planned for an August 30, 2024, opening.
Exciting Releases Still On Track
Despite the delays, Sony has exciting releases on the
horizon. Dakota Johnson fans can anticipate her appearance in the Spider-Man
universe spinoff, "Madame Web," now set to premiere on Valentine's
Day, February 14, 2024, two days earlier than initially planned. "Venom
3" secures a release date for July 12, 2024, while "Bad Boys 4"
is scheduled for June 14, 2024.
"Gran Turismo" - An Imminent Release
Neill Blomkamp's sports biopic "Gran Turismo,"
starring David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Archie Madekwe, is Sony's most
imminent release. Originally intended for a wide opening on August 11, the
studio now relies on robust early audience testing and word-of-mouth to ensure
a successful launch. "Gran Turismo" will debut in select theaters
over the weekends of August 11 and August 18, with a vast expansion on August
25.
Sony's release date adjustments are part of a larger trend
in Hollywood since the start of the SAG-AFTRA conflict three weeks ago. With
ongoing production shutdowns and stars unable to participate in promotional
activities, more major studios may update their release schedules. Warner Bros.
has already considered delaying the sci-fi epic "Dune 2" to 2024 due
to strike-related challenges.