Warner Bros is delaying the release of some of its much-anticipated tentpole films as the coronavirus pandemic hinders post-production visual effects work. Film release dates being postponed include that of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, The Flash, Black Adam and Wonka, starring Timothee Chalamet as the eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka.
But the release of Shazam! Fury of the Gods, the sequel to the hit 2019 film Shazam! has been brought forward from 2023, and will now be released on December 12, 2022, in time for the Christmas season.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which follows 2018's Aquaman starring Jason Momoa, was scheduled to be released this year, but is now set for a March 17, 2023 release. Meanwhile, The Flash, meant to be the first solo film for Ezra Miller's superhero, will now be out on June 23, 2023. Both Momoa and Miller have played their characters in several films within the DC Extended Universe, beginning with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016.
Fans of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will be treated this year to two movies from the actor — the animated film DC League of Super-Pets, in which he voices Superman's dog, Krypto the Superdog, and Black Adam, in which he plays the DC supervillain.
"We're movin' and groovin' and changing release dates," Johnson announced on Wednesday, along with the new dates for the films. DC League of Super-Pets will now be released on July 29, while Black Adam is set for October 21.
"I've worked these fingers to the bone. Because it's the kind of project that comes once in a lifetime," Johnson said last year while unveiling a snippet from the film at DC FanDome. "The truth is, I was born to be Black Adam."
Johnson, who's been working on Black Adam as far back as 2007, reunites with director Jaume Collet-Serra, who he worked with in the hit Disney film, Jungle Cruise. The character is based on the DC Comics anti-hero and sworn nemesis of Shazam, the superhero portrayed by Zachary Levi in the 2019 film of the same name.
One of the biggest delays will be Chalamet's Wonka, which was initially set for a March 2023 outing. It will now be released on December 15, 2023.
In October, Chalamet, 25, shared a photo of himself on set, wearing a burgundy velvet jacket, patterned scarf and brown top hat, a classic look for the Roald Dahl character. The film will recount Wonka's early years and is directed by Paul King who helmed the two Paddington films. Olivia Colman, Rakhee Thakrar, Paterson Joseph, Keegan-Michael Key, Rowan Atkinson, Sally Hawkins, Matt Lucas and Rich Fulcher will also star.
On Wednesday, Warner Bros also announced the release date of Meg 2: The Trench, the follow-up to 2018's The Meg, starring Jason Statham and a giant shark. The film is scheduled for August 4, 2023.
Warner Bros is having a great run at the box office with The Batman, which last week became the year's first film to exceed $100 million in its opening weekend in the US.
The latest in a growing collection of Batman films — this one a particularly gloomy version, starring English actor Robert Pattinson — has received wide acclaim and is the second pandemic-era release to surpass that milestone after Spider-Man: No Way Home.
See Robert Pattinson's style evolution:
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Robert Pattinson, in a red velvet jacket and leather trousers, arrives at the world premiere of 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' in London on November 6, 2005. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in black jeans and a black jumper, attends the 'Twilight' photocall during the 3rd Rome International Film Festival on October 30, 2008. Getty Images -
Wearing black trousers and a black jacket, Robert Pattinson poses with Kristen Stewart during a 'Twilight' photocall in Paris on December 8, 2008. Getty Images -
In a striped polo shirt at the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2009. Getty Images -
Dapper in a navy suit at the 'Inglourious Basterds' premiere during the 62nd International Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2009. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in a grey wool coat and suit, attends a 'Twilight Saga: New Moon' UK fan event in London on November 11, 2009. Getty Images -
Nailing casual style in leather jacket, brown shirt and jeans, at the 'Twilight Saga: New Moon' fan event in Madrid, Spain on November 12, 2009. Getty Images -
It's an all-brown suited look for Robert Pattinson at the 'Water For Elephants' German premiere in Berlin on April 27, 2011. Getty Images -
Wearing a grey suit, Robert Pattinson poses with Reese Witherspoon at the Spanish premiere for 'Water for Elephants' in Barcelona on May 1, 2011. Getty Images -
In a black suit and shirt for the French premiere of 'Water For Elephants' in Paris on April 28, 2011. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in a bomber jacket and grey trousers, and Christina Ricci attend the 'Bel Ami' photocall during the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival on February 17, 2012. Getty Images -
In a blue suit and white shirt at the 'Cosmopolis' photocall during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2012. Getty Images -
Channelling his formal best in a black tuxedo, Robert Pattinson departs the 'Cosmopolis' premiere during the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2012. Getty Images -
Playing it cool in a blue checked suit and pink shirt at the 'Cosmopolis' premiere in Paris, France on May 30, 2012. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson channels his 'Twilight' character's brooding side in a black shirt, jacket and jeans, during 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2' photocall on October 22, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. Getty Images -
In a brown suit and patterned shirt at a 'Twiight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2' fan event in Sydney, Australia on October 22, 2012. Getty Images -
Mixing it up in a teal bomber jacket and checked shirt for the 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2' photocall in Madrid on November 15, 2012. Getty Images -
A modern look in a green sports jacket and black polo shirt and jeans, at 'The Rover' photocall during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2014. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson goes casual in a leather jacket, checked shirt and chinos, next to Mia Wasikowska, Julianne Moore and John Cusack at the 'Maps To The Stars' photocall during the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2014. Getty Images -
Getting bold in a black bomber jacket and orange trousers at 'The Rover' photocall during the Sydney Film Festival on June 6, 2014. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in a burgundy jacket, blue shirt and jeans, attends 'The Rover' photocall in London on August 6, 2014 Getty Images -
Taking it up a notch in a white tux jacket, Robert Pattinson arrives with FKA Twigs for the 2016 Costume Institute Benefit at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May, 2 2016. EPA -
Robert Pattinson, a brand ambassador for Dior, in one of his many looks from the fashion house: a black suit with pipe detailing, at the Dior Homme Menswear spring/summer 2017 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2016. Getty Images -
Very much the Dior man in black jeans, a white shirt and cropped black zip-up jumper by Dior, at the 'The Lost City of Z' photocall during the 67th Berlinale International Film Festival on February 14, 2017. Getty Images -
Throwing a fashion curveball in a black Dior mohair coat at the 'The Lost City of Z' premiere during the 67th Berlinale International Film Festival on February 14, 2017. Getty Images -
In a slim blue suit at the 'Good Time' photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 25, 2017. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in a sharp black suit, arrives for the screening of the film 'Good Time' during the 43rd Deauville American Film Festival on September 2, 2017. Getty Images -
Wearing a black Dior leather jacket over a black suit, for the Dior Homme Menswear autumn/winter 2018-2019 show during Paris Fashion Week on January 20, 2018. Getty Images -
In a black leather jacket, logo T-shirt and yellow trousers, Robert Pattinson poses with Mia Wasikowska at the 'Damsel' photocall in Berlin on February 16, 2018. Getty Images -
In a black double-breasted suit at the 'Damsel' premiere during the 68th Berlinale International Film Festival on February 16, 2018. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in layered Dior, attends the brand's Dior Homme Menswear spring/summer 2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 23, 2018. Getty Images -
In black jeans, a striped shirt and black denim jacket at the 'High Life' photocall during the 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 27, 2018. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in a blue suit, attends the 'High Life' premiere during the 66th San Sebastian International Film Festival on September 27, 2018. Getty Images -
Wearing oversized brown Dior to the Dior Homme Menswear autumn/winter 2019-2020 show on January 18, 2019 in Paris. Getty Images -
Robert Pattinson, in striped trousers, a black T-shirt and black leather jacket, and Kate Moss attend the Dior Homme Menswear autumn/winter 2020-2021 show on January 17, 2020. Getty Images
