Just yesterday, Hollywood celebrated a massive success after it was announced that the strike between the film studios and the film actors union had finally come to an end. This announcement means that actors and film production companies can finally get back to work. It also means that major studios like Walt Disney Studios have had a chance to take a step back and plan out what their upcoming release schedule will look like.
As announced earlier today, quite a few films were pushed back by Disney.
Disney Pushes Back Several Major Films Following Strike
Disney, the renowned entertainment company, has recently announced the unfortunate postponement of several highly anticipated movies. One such film is Mufasa: The Lion King, which was initially scheduled to hit the big screens on July 5, 2024. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Disney has made the decision to push back the release date to December 20, 2024, much to the disappointment of eager fans.
NEW: Disney's 'Mufasa: The Lion King' has been pushed to Dec. 20, 2024 (was July 5, 2024). pic.twitter.com/xM15B2Tkt5
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2023
Another beloved character that fans were eagerly anticipating is Deadpool. The third installment in the Deadpool franchise, aptly titled Deadpool 3, was initially slated for release on May 3, 2024. However, the new date for this superhero’s return has been rescheduled to July 26, 2024, causing fans to wait a little longer to witness his signature irreverent humor and action-packed adventures.
The postponements don’t end there. Captain America fans were anticipating the release of Captain America: Brave New World on July 25, 2024. Unfortunately, they will now have to exercise patience until February 14, 2025, as Disney has decided to delay the highly anticipated film.
Moreover, Marvel enthusiasts were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Thunderbolts (2024), a superhero team-up film featuring a group of reformed supervillains. Initially set to release on December 20, 2024, the film’s release has now been shifted to July 25, 2025.
Also being affected is Marvel’s upcoming R-rated feature, Blade (2025). Fans were delighted when the release date for the Blade reboot was announced as February 14, 2025. However, they will now have to mark their calendars for November 7, 2025, instead.
NEW: Updated MCU release dates:
Deadpool 3: July 26, 2024 (was May 3, 2024)
Captain America: Brave New World: Feb. 14, 2025 (was July 25, 2024)
Fantastic Four: May 2, 2025 (no change)
Thunderbolts: July 25, 2025 (was Dec. 20, 2024)
Blade: Nov. 7, 2025 (was Feb. 14, 2025) pic.twitter.com/VvEXfrnFtR— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2023
Disappointing, but Not Surprising
Though the news of these movie delays may come as a disappointment to fans, it’s important to remember that the filmmakers and studios have made these decisions in the best interest of the projects. By allowing more time for development, production, and polishing, Disney aims to deliver exceptional cinematic experiences that will captivate audiences on a grand scale. This summer’s strikes have made it impossible for films to continue progressing as usual.
Here's a look at the updated 2024 release schedule for Disney: pic.twitter.com/aEj9hpADvh
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) November 10, 2023
In the meantime, fans can rest assured that their favorite characters and stories are in good hands. Disney, known for its remarkable storytelling and exceptional cinematic universes, will undoubtedly deliver memorable experiences when these films eventually make their way to the big screen. So, let’s hold onto our excitement and eagerly anticipate the spectacular adventures that await us in the future.