Los Angeles: As the Hollywood writers' and actors' strike continues, major movie studios are reshuffling their release schedules, impacting highly anticipated films. Sony Pictures is the latest studio to make changes in response to the ongoing work stoppage.
One of the notable changes is the release date of "Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse," the latest installment in Sony's animated film series based on the beloved character. Originally scheduled for a March 2024 release, the film's debut has been pulled. The studio is now considering various dates depending on the duration of the strike.
Another film affected by the strike is "Gran Turismo," a car-racing movie that was set for a wide release on August 11. Instead, Sony will opt for sneak previews for two weekends, allowing audiences to experience the film before its official release in more theaters on August 25. This strategy comes as a workaround to strike-related restrictions on actors' participation in publicity tours and promotional events, reported Bloomberg.
Similarly, an untitled sequel to "Ghostbusters," initially slated for release in December 2023, has been postponed to March 2024 of the following year. "Kraven the Hunter," based on the Marvel Comics character, had a scheduled release for October 2023 but has now been moved to August 30, 2024.
The strike, which began in May 2023 for writers and in July 2023 for actors represented by the SAG-AFTRA union, has led to strict rules preventing actors from engaging in traditional promotion activities such as red carpet premieres, press interviews, and film festivals. These limitations have disrupted marketing strategies and are expected to impact the box office performance of films released during the strike.
The delays are especially challenging for theater chains like AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. and Cineworld Group Plc, which are eager to boost their recovery from pandemic-induced lockdowns by offering a diverse selection of films.
Walt Disney Co. also announced delays in response to the strike, pushing back the release of "Poor Things," a film starring Emma Stone, to December 2023. The company is reportedly reviewing its release strategy for several other movies as well.
The strike is driven by writers and actors seeking better compensation and benefits from studios, as well as protections against artificial intelligence potentially replacing their jobs. With the strike ongoing, many Hollywood productions have come to a standstill, impacting the industry as a whole.