For us film lovers, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on the industry. Several films that many of us were really looking forward to have been pushed from their original release dates; some have been delayed by a few months, others by a whole year, and others have been taken out of theaters all together and sold to streaming services. In a time when things are hard to comprehend, it’s important to look at the lighter side. Even though we have to wait even longer for these films, they will come out eventually. So, let’s take a look at some of my most anticipated films that have been delayed because of the virus. AntlersOriginal Release Date: April 17, 2020 New Release Date: TBD Not much was known about this horror film from director Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart and Black Mass). The trailers did a great job of selling the film without giving away the supernatural element at its core. What it does show us is that it looks to be a dark, menacing horror film with some truly nightmare inducing images. Hopefully it manages to live up to the highs the trailers have already put it at. F9Original Release Date: May 22, 2020 New Release Date: April 2, 2021 The latest installment in the highly successful Fast & Furious franchise looked to be the biggest and most fun installment yet. What made the trailer so surprising was the return of Sung Kang as team member Han, who was thought to have been killed in Furious 7. Hopefully the delay will be enough time for Universal to work out its recent feud with theater chains over pursuing VOD releases, because I refuse to see this movie on anything smaller than an IMAX screen. The Forever PurgeOriginal Release Date: July 10, 2020 New Release Date: TBD The next installment in Blumhouse’s blockbuster franchise is slated to be the last film in the series of annual lawlessness. For those who don’t know, the series is set in an alternate dystopian America where the government sanctions a yearly 12 hour period called The Purge, where all crime is legal. It was designed to allow anger-filled Americans to release their rage, but the ones behind it are really using it to eliminate lower income populations. The Purge was deemed unlawful and eradicated at the end of the third installment, so it will be interesting to see where the series goes and how it all comes to an end. Free GuyOriginal Release Date: July 3, 2020 New Release Date: December 11, 2020 We never get movies like this. It would have made more sense for 20th Century Fox (I will not call it 20th Century Studios) to make a film based on the Grand Theft Auto video game series rather than make a parody of it. With Ryan Reynolds at the top of the cast, you can bet that there will be a lot of meta-gags and self aware humor. It’s kind of his thing since starring in the Deadpool franchise. This looks to be a good time, with a dose of humorous stabs towards the gaming community. Ghostbusters: AfterlifeOriginal Release Date: July 10, 2020 New Release Date: March 5, 2021 Even though it’s not a sequel to the highly underrated 2016 reboot, a new addition to the Ghostbusters franchise is exciting enough. The cast is intriguing, especially the additions of Paul Rudd and Finn Wolfhard, and it’s cool to see a Ghostbusters movie take place somewhere other than New York City for once. From the first trailer released last December, it looks like new director Jason Reitman (son of original director Ivan Reitman) is trying to recreate the look and feel of his father’s films, and it looks pretty spot on. Hopefully it lives up to expectations when it comes out next March. In the HeightsOriginal Release Date: June 26, 2020 New Release Date: June 18, 2021 I don’t know much about the musical, but the trailer looked like it was going to be a really good time at the movies. Lin-Manuel Miranda has brought us some great songs from his various musicals and contributions to Disney films. The trailer for this film adaptation already makes me want to dance along with the music, so hopefully the full film can create the same feeling. Minions: The Rise of GruOriginal Release Date: July 3, 2020 New Release Date: July 2, 2021 Though popular opinion looks down on the titular minions, I find them to be very enjoyable no matter what they’re in. They are the highlights of the entire Despicable Me franchise, and always manage to put a smile on my face. The sequel to their solo spin-off film looks to bring us more of what we love from the franchise, with Steve Carrell returning to voice a 12-year-old version of series protagonist Gru. With the promise of more minion gags, the film looks to be a great family adventure, and a great expansion to the franchise. A Quiet Place: Part IIOriginal Release Date: March 20, 2020 New Release Date: September 4, 2020 The first A Quiet Place was something very unexpected; not just an above-average horror film, but a horror film that was also one of the best films of the year. Even though a sequel wasn’t entirely necessary, John Krasinski’s continued involvement as writer/director was reassuring. It really was his expert directing that was one reason why the first film was so effective. So with him behind the camera for this new one, I have faith that he’ll do it right. RunOriginal Release Date: May 8, 2020 New Release Date: TBD The new film from the writers and director of 2018’s Searching followed a disabled teenager who begins to suspect her mother is hiding a dark secret from her. It seems like a rather trite premise, with so many Lifetime movies treading the same territory. However, director Aneesh Chaganty made Searching a fully unpredictable experience despite the familiar concept. I believe that he’ll deliver the same twists and turns that his first movie brought to the thriller genre. SoulOriginal Release Date: June 19, 2020
New Release Date: November 20, 2020 What could be Pixar’s last film made by one of its original creators, Pete Docter (the creator of Monsters Inc., Up, and Inside Out) was set to bring us what looked like Pixar’s most imaginative and gorgeous film yet. It’s interesting to see a studio like Pixar explore something like what makes up a human soul. They’ve always explored very human concepts, and here they seem to be going deeper than ever.
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