'Wonder Woman 1984' sequel delayed (again) until December

The Warner Bros superhero epic is the latest big-budget film to be slowed by the pandemic

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman in a scene from 'Wonder Woman 1984.' The film's release has been delayed once again, this time to Christmas. AP

Warner Bros postponed the release of Wonder Woman 1984 because of the coronavirus pandemic. The film, in which Gal Gadot returns as Wonder Woman, is now set for release on Christmas Day, two months after it was meant to open.

It's not the first time the film has been pushed back. The superhero sequel was due for release on June 5. The closure of cinemas in the US owing to the outbreak meant a shift in release date to August, and then again to October 2, before the latest change.

With the film having cost approximately $180 million (Dh661.1m) to produce, it makes sense that the studio is reluctant to release it at a time when it risks low box office numbers.

While some cinemas in the US have reopened, there is uncertainty about when others might follow suit, including in important markets such as New York and Los Angeles. Questions also remain about whether audiences are ready to return.

Christmas calendar clash

The new release date for the film, directed by Patty Jenkins, also means it will come out only a week after another  big-budget Warner Bros film, sci-fi action thriller Dune.

The Denis Villeneuve-directed film dropped its trailer this month and is scheduled to hit cinemas on December 18. It was partly filmed in the UAE and Jordan, with the cast and crew checking in to Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in Abu Dhabi.

Warner Bros recently risked releasing Tenet on the big screen. The Christopher Nolan-directed film hit cinemas in the US on September 3 after also having its release date moved. It was the first major blockbuster to debut since theatres closed in March because of the pandemic.