In response to the dual writer’s and actor’s strikes, Sony Pictures appears to be the first studio adjusting their release calendar, much like how they were one of the first studios to reposition their releases amid the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic.
Notably, Sony is delaying all their forthcoming projects, including the much anticipated “Beyond The Spider-Verse.” Fans expecting the sequel to “Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse” must brace for a slight delay as rumors indicate that it might not make its original March 2024 release date, regardless of the strike – now it seems we’re looking at a potential 2025 date, echoing the production ambitions of producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller.
One of the early casualties of this decision is “Kraven,” the ‘Spider-Man’ spinoff film that stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the titular foe, Kraven The Hunter. This J.C. Chandor directorial venture, initially planned for an October 6, 2023 release, is now shifted to August 30, 2024 due to the SAG-AFTRA dispute. While August end is traditionally a weak period for releases, past successes like “Shang Chi: The Legend Of The Ten Rings” have proven that this date might not be a death sentence for “Kraven.”
Furthermore, the sequel to Jason Reitman’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” which featured Paul Rudd and had a global box office crossing $200 million, was slated for Christmas 2023, but will now be gracing the screens on Easter weekend of 2024.
Other changes include shifting the “Karate Kid” reboot from June 7, 2024, to December 13, 2024, and Blumhouse’s “They Listen” originally slated for August 30, 2024, is now without a release date.
On a brighter note, Sony recently unveiled the titles for some Sony/Marvel collaborations, including the Dakota Johnson-led ‘Spider-Man’ universe film, “Madame Web,” which will now be hitting theaters on Valentine’s day of 2024. They also announced a release date of July 12, 2024 for “Venom 3.” Conjecture surrounds an unfilled summer 2025 Marvel/Sony slot, with many speculating it could host another “Spider-Man” movie starring Tom Holland.
“Bad Boys” fanatics have something to cheer about – “Bad Boys 4” with the dynamic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is now scheduled for a June 14, 2024 release.
Sony also made the decision to do a soft delay for the release of the racer film “Gran Turismo” which was slated for August 11, now it’ll be out on August 25.
