Disney has essentially pulled the plug on 2020. The final two major releases, Free Guy and Death On the Nile, have been pulled off the schedule with no set date. That only leaves Fox Searchlight’s Nomadland, which is staying in place on December 4th likely because its Oscar chances are soaring.
Free Guy is the Ryan Reynolds video game comedy in which he plays an NPC who suddenly becomes aware of his world and sets out to become a hero, not a background character. The film was originally dated for July 3rd, before the coronavirus lockdowns had it moved to December 11th, and now undated.
Also without a release is Kenneth Branagh’s Death On the Nile, his star-studded sequel to Murder On the Orient Express. It was set to roll into the station on October 23rd, then was moved to December 18th until this latest decision to push it into next year.
With theaters remaining closed, including in the two biggest markets in LA and NY, Disney has decided to put their focus on streaming efforts. That has included moving the Pixar film Soul to Disney+, a move they have made with other theatrical efforts including Artemis Fowl and Mulan. Other major Disney titles, such as Black Widow, Eternals, and West Side Story, were all moved to 2021.
All eyes are on Wonder Woman 1984 now as it’s the last major studio tentpole left on the radar. Currently, it’s set to open on Christmas Day but there are rumblings of a move by Warner Bros. and exhibitors are preparing for it.
