Find out the 10 Big Ticket Movies that’ve made it to this list, check out their release dates, also get the lowdown on these top-billed Hollywood flicks you’ve been waiting for
The ongoing global pandemic and health crisis has been playing truant with shoot schedules and impacting theatrical releases of a host of highly-anticipated films that have as a result suddenly gone off the 2020 radar and some of which have been postponed ahead by almost a year.
Though Christopher Nolan braved the pandemic to release his ambitious Tenet theatrically (only to learn it was perhaps not a wise decision after all), a few others are opting for the OTT route by having a direct-to-digital release of their movies like Robert Zemeckis’ Anne Hathaway-starrer The Witches that skipped theatres and will now debut on the giant streaming platform HBO Max.
However, a majority of the leading Hollywood studios are instead shuffling and reshuffling their movie calendars to have the most conducive release dates worldwide and ensure blockbuster overseas collections to have that shot at adding profits. But the ripples of these date changes can be felt as far ahead as 2023!
So, while we witness this daily juggle of dates, here’s giving you a lowdown on 10 of the most-awaited movies on our slates, their production status updates and their new release dates:
Dune
New Release Date: October 1, 2021
Old Release Dates: November 20, 2020 then moved ahead to December 18, 2020
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, dave Bautista, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, amongst others
Dune is easily one of the most-awaited films on the movie marquee. The sci-fi epic movie is the first film of the two-part movie adaptation of Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel ‘Dune’. The film’s recently-released trailer had upscaled the expectations of cine-lovers manifold and they could barely contain their excitement to see the cinematic wonder unfold on the big screens.
The film’s music is being scored by the brilliant Hans Zimmer, who had earlier worked with Villeneuve on the fantasy thriller Blade Runner 2049. So, reportedly when he was approached by Christopher Nolan to score the music of Tenet, Zimmer instead chose to work on Villeneuve’s epic saga, stating his personal love for the Herbert novel. Greig Fraser’s cinematography is another expected highlight of the movie.
Check out the film’s trailer right here:
The Warner Bros. film that was previously scheduled to be released on November 20, 2020 then moved to December 18, 2020, before finally being pushed to October 1, 2021 to ensure maximum overseas theatre footfalls.
No Time To Die
New Release Date: April 2, 2021
Old Release Dates: February 2020 to April 2020 then moved ahead to November 12, 2020
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Ana de Armas, Ben Whishaw, Christoph Waltz
The 25th film in the James Bond hit franchise, it is also the fifth and the last time that Daniel Craig plays the famed British MI6 undercover agent. A well-loved franchise, it made obvious sense for the studio heads to delay release than risk limited success due to the pandemic situation still keeping crowds away from theatres in most of its overseas markets.
Interestingly, the film was originally planned to be a November 2019 release with Danny Boyle helming the project when first conceived in February 2018. However Boyle exited the project over casting decisions, post which Fukunaga was roped in as the director. This delay caused by the change in hands led the studio to push the film to a February 2020 release and then to April. By then the pandemic had already gripped the globe causing the film to once again be pushed ahead to November 12, 2020.
Keeping in mind its global appeal, No Time To Die will now release on April 2, 2021 to have a worldwide theatrical audience revealed MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
The film franchise – noted for the high-octane action, Bond’s theme music, stylised chases, hot wheels, hotter Bond babes, hi-tech gadgets – enjoys its own fan-following world-wide. The music of this spy-thriller is composed by Hans Zimmer and the theme song rendered by Billie Eilish. Rami Malek plays the formidable adversary Safin to Craig’s stylish Bond, while Léa Seydoux returns as Bond’s love interest Dr Madeleine Swann and Lashana Lynch will play the new ’00 agent Nomi.
Check out the film’s trailer right here:
The makers have already dropped two trailers and the music video of the Bond theme song, and the album is on its way. All of which the fans have given a thumbs-up to.
Wonder Woman 1984
New Release Date: December 25, 2020
Old Release Dates: December 13, 2019, then preponed to November 1, 2019, then delayed to June 5, 2020, then to August 14, and further to October 2, 2020
Director: Patty Jenkins
Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, Kristen Wiig, Connie Nielsen
The 9th instalment in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), WW84 is the sequel to the hit Wonder Woman (2017) and has Gal Gadot reprise her role as Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman. The film will follow Wonder Woman in a face-off with arch-enemy Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal) and the formidable foe Cheetah (Kristen Wiig).
The shooting of the film wrapped up in December 2018 in a back-to-back six month schedule, with the additional filming taking place in July 2019.
The superhero film was originally slated for a December 13, 2019 release, before being pulled up to November 1, 2019. The film was then delayed to June 5, 2020 following the global health crisis then to August 14, then further to October 2, 2020, before finally being moved to the current Christmas date.
A shot at seeing Wonder Woman reunite with the love of her life – Chris Pine’s Steve Trevor – plus the thrill of seeing the superhero take on the baddies definitely has us excited.
Check out the film’s trailer right here:
The teasers and two trailers have warmed up the fans enough to now count down to the film’s release and watching Gal Gadot swing her lasso of truth might just add that much-needed Christmas cheer at the Box –Office too. Let’s just hope it doesn’t get postponed again.
Black Widow
New Release Date: May 7, 2021
Old Release Dates: May 2020, November 2020
Director: Cate Shortland
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, William Hurt, O-T Fagbenle, Ray Winstone
Possibly one of the most heart-breaking delays is the one of Black Widow being postponed. As if waiting for this solo superhero movie wasn’t bad enough, fans now feel further cheated with the prolonged wait to see Natasha Romanoff’s journey to becoming Black Widow unravel on screen as she is forced to confront her past while on the run. The film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios, stars Scarlett Johansson in the titular role, along with Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, William Hurt, O-T Fagbenle, Ray Winstone. Intended to be the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Black Widow follows the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016) and an on-the-run Romanoff is forced to revisit her past as a spy and confront broken relationships before she became an Avenger.
The film was first conceived in April 2004. However, while Scarlett went on to play the character in several MCU films since – right up till her character’s death in Avengers: Endgame – her solo project only took off in 2018 and was slated to be the first release in the Phase 4 slate of the MCU.
Watch the trailer here:
The trailer of the film was released early this year as the film was originally planned for a May 2020 theatrical outing. However, the global health crisis caused a delay and soon Disney announced its new release date to be November 6, 2020 (originally meant for Eternals). This change of date however triggered a major shuffle in the Phase 4 slate as the rest of their films were shifted to accommodate Black Widow’s new release date. Last month (September), Disney once again pushed the film’s release to May 7, 2021, keeping in mind the overseas markets and international box office including Asian regions that boasts a major Marvel fan following. This change once again led to the rescheduling of other Disney films Eternals and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Mission: Impossible 7
New Release Date: November 19, 2021
Old Release Date: July 23, 2021
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Hemry Czerny, Simon Pegg, Vanessa Kirby, Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff
Tom Cruise reprises his action role as IMF agent Ethan Hunt for the seventh instalment of the blockbuster spy-franchise. The Hollywood star has currently been making headlines while filming some major death-defying stunts – including fight sequences atop moving trains and riding off mountain tops on a bike before free-falling to a parachute landing – in and around Norway.
The release date of the Paramount Pictures movie has been delayed only by a few months – the original date was July 23, 2021 – as the filming that was scheduled to begin in February-March in Rome was delayed due to the Coronavirus in Italy, even though it was yet to become a full-blown pandemic. While the crew resumed work in July 2020 at the Warner Bros Studio in Leavesden in Hertfordshire, UK, a fire broke out at a motorcycle stunt rig in Oxfordshire. This was reportedly among one of the most expensive stunts ever filmed in the UK, and while no one was hurt, it did dent the budget as well as the shoot schedule. The filming then resumed in September and continues. A direct sequel – also starring Cruise – is being shot as well that’s scheduled to release on November 4, 2022.
By the looks of it, the film promises to be yet another treat for action buffs with some edge-of-the-seat thrilling moments and stunts that would leave one feeling high on an adrenaline rush. To top it all, it’s Tom Cruise, need we say more!
The Batman
New Release Date: March 4, 2022
Old Release Date: June 25, 2021 then to October 1, 2021
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Zoe Kravitz, Colin Farrell, Andy Serkis, Paul dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Barry Keoghan
A reboot of the Batman film franchise, the film will have the Gotham city’s caped crusader take on Riddler (Paul Dano). Produced by DC Films and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, The Batman marks Robert Pattinson’s debut as Bruce Wayne aka Batman. While the film was to be made by and with Ben Affleck reprising his role as Batman, the actor exited the project in January 2019. Reeves then stepped in as the director, while Pattinson was cast sometime in May 2019. The film also became an independent project instead of being a part of the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
The Gotham-based superhero movie was originally set to release on June 25, 2021.
The filming had barely begun early this year when it was stalled in March 2020 following the Coronavirus pandemic. The film then got pushed to an October 1, 2021 release and then further ahead to accommodate Dune release being pushed to October 2021. The film experienced further production delay upon it’s resuming the shoot recently in September, after Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19. The shoot then resumed on September 17 and the film is now aiming for a March 2022 release, with approximately three months of filming to be completed.
Post a thunderous welcome to the teaser trailer that was released by Reeves at the DC FanDome event held virtually in August this year (2020), all eyes are now riveted on Robert Pattinson as he dons a rather hot-looking Batsuit. The Batmobile, Zoe’s Catwoman, Colin in a brief appearance as Penguin, all have raised the curiosity bar considerably, as well as the excitement levels, but it looks like a long wait till March 2022!
Fast & Furious 9 (F9)
New Release Date: May 28, 2021
Old Release Date: May 22, 2020
Director: Justin Lin
Cast: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, John Cena, Charlize Theron, Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Chris ‘Ludacris’ Bridges, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Nathalie Emmauel, Cardi B, Jason Tobin
This 9th installement in the Fast & Furious franchise, F9 is a sequel to The Fate of the Furious (2017). The film that was originally schedule to release in May 2020 has been pushed to now release in May 2021.
It follows the life of the franchise lead star Vin Diesel’s Dominic Toretto in a face-off with his own brother who is now a deadly assassin, working for Toretto’s old enemy, the cyber-terrorist Cipher (Theron). Besides the usual filming locations including (Leavesden in Hertfordshire, UK and Los Angeles), a part of the film was for the first time also shot in and around Thailand. The film has only been getting bigger and higher-on-action with every instalment. The raw races and modified hot wheels have fuelled imaginations and spawned generations of car-addicts who swear by the franchise. No wonder then that the action-packed franchise is high on every car-lover’s must-watch list.
Top Gun: Maverick
New Release Date: July 2, 2021
Old Release Dates: July 12, 2019 then June 26, 2020
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Lewis Pullman, Glen Powell, Jon Hamm
A sequel of Tom Cruise’s 1986 smash hit Top Gun, the action-drama will see the Hollywood heartthrob get into the uniform as test pilot Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell more than 34 years after he first scorched screens in the cockpit of his fighter jet. Who can forget the top star flash his trademark smile and take up to the challenges of ‘his need for speed’! It’s a blast from the past for fans who can’t wait to see Cruise work up his magic on screen again. The Paramount Pictures film was originally slated to release on July 12, 2019, but was then postponed to June 26, 2020 for complex post-production work involving the flight sequences. The film was then further delayed due to the pandemic as well as release date clashes.
The Matrix 4
New Release Date: December 22, 2021
Old Release Dates: May 21, 2021 and then moved to April 1, 2022
Director: Lana Wachowski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Lambert Wilson, Neil Patrick Harris, Daniel Bernhardt
The fourth instalment in the hit sci-fi franchise The Matrix, this Keanu Reeves starrer sees the star reprise his role as Neo. The film’s shoot began in February this year, but the production was halted in March amidst the Covid-19 crisis. The filming resumed in Berlin in August 2020. After being postponed to April 2022 the film has been pre-poned to December 22, 2021.
The film has been tickling the palate of sci-fi fans since the first film released and continues to be a much-awaited one with fans of the genre.
John Wick: Chapter 4
New Release Date: May 27, 2022
Old Release Date: May 21, 2021
Director: Chad Stahelski
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Riccardo Scamarcio
What started in 2014 as Keanu’s John Wick, a retired hitman avenging the killing of his dog, went on to have two blockbuster sequels (in 2017 and 2019). And the fourth is now awaited with the action star reprising his role as the deadly assassin once again, even as the fifth is being shot back-to back alongside the fourth instalment. The film’s fast-paced action has found takers across the globe and the loyal fans swear by Reeves and his John Wick.
While Lionsgate had announced its release to be scheduled for May 2021, the filming delay caused due to the pandemic has now pushed the release date way ahead to May 2022. But the fans are going to be in for a treat since the maker and the star are shooting for the 5th instalment alongside and we are certainly delighted. After all there’s nothing like too much of Keanu Reeves, right!
New Release Date Calendar:
Death on the Nile – December 18, 2020
Wonder Woman 1984 – December 25, 2020
Mortal Kombat – January 15, 2021
No Time To Die – April 2, 2021
Black Widow – May 7, 2021
Fast & Furious 9 (F9) – May 28, 2021
Top Gun: Maverick – July 2, 2021
The Suicide Squad – August 6, 2021
Dune – October 1, 2021
Mission: Impossible 7 – November 19, 2021
The Matrix 4 – December 22, 2021
The Batman – March 4, 2022
John Wick: Chapter 4 – May 27, 2022
The Flash – November 4, 2022
Aquaman 2 – December 16, 2022
Shazam! Fury of the Gods – June 2, 2023
Black Adam – No release date
Malignant – No release date