Disney Reportedly Cancels Austin Butler Film, Fans Enraged

Recently, Disney has faced much backlash as they have announced film after film, delayed or canceled. Today, the company reportedly canceled another long-awaited film, and fans are speaking out in frustration.

This year has brought one announcement after another from Disney, reporting delayed and canceled films and shows. The company has pointed to the recent SAG-AFTRA strike to blame for these changes. The strike began in mid-July of this year and continued through November. For over 100 days, the picket lines were filled with actors and writers, including Hollywood stars like Chris Pine, Mandy Moore, Nick Offerman, and Jennifer Garner. After long months, a deal was reached on November 9, 2023, ending the strike.

Credit: Disney

Following the strike’s conclusion, any film with an upcoming release date seems to face a questionable future. Disney recently announced that the upcoming Pixar series Win or Lose has been pushed to 2024. Additionally, Mufasa: The Lion King had its release date pushed from July 5, 2024, to December 20, 2024, as well as several Marvel films, including Deadpool 3, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, and Blade. 

Disney’s live-action remake of Snow White has also been delayed, moving its release date an entire year. The film’s new release date is scheduled for March 21, 2025, a year from its initial release date of March 22, 2024. This film has faced almost nothing but controversy since its beginning. Needless to say, fans were not thrilled with its delayed release date, blaming actress Rachel Zegler and surrounding controversy for the change.

Disney’s Newest Drop, The Bikeriders

Credit: @TheWrap, X

Adding to this list of unfortunate changes, Disney reportedly will no longer release The Bikeriders starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. In October, Disney removed the 20th-century film from its 2023 release schedule due to the impact of the SAG-AFTRA Strike. However, now it seems that Disney is no longer planning to release the film in the future, as financier New Regency is looking for a new distributor. These changes will likely result in the film’s final release date being pushed beyond 2023.

Disney is no longer set to release ‘THE BIKERIDERS’.

New Regency is now looking for a new distribution partner for the film and is considering all release possibilities, including a streaming release.

(Source: https://t.co/yoO1dWY0Aa) pic.twitter.com/ksNuxnCKxu

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 21, 2023

Credit: @DiscussingFilm, X

The Bikeriders stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, the film is set in Chicago and follows a motorcycle club evolving over a decade. The Bikeriders is based on a series of photographs taken by Danny Lyon of the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club.

Credit: @discussingfilm, X

Fans have highly anticipated the film’s release after its first world preview in September at the Telluride Film Festival. Many fans are enraged and have responded to Disney’s drop of The Bikeriders on social media.

One commented, “I don’t care who releases it just gimmie [give me] the movie,” while another wrote, “‘Quick! Make the wrong decision!’ – Disney Executives.” The negative response continues to grow; one fan wrote, “Wow. That is incredibly disappointing to see Disney/Fox give up on this film and not release it themselves.”

It’s clear that the audience is ready for The Bikeriders to be released. It seems that we’re now just waiting to see if a new distributor will release the film following Disney’s drop.