Mulan, F9: All The Films, Shows, And Festivals Pausing Over Coronavirus Concerns
Mulan, F9: All The Films, Shows, And Festivals Pausing Over Coronavirus Concerns
By Crystal Bell and Brittany Vincent
The growing concerns over the novel coronavirus outbreak has effectively put Hollywood on hold. Productions are being halted, release dates postponed, and annual festivals are being canceled. Not to say, people aren't exactly rushing to the movies at a time as soon as public gatherings are being discouraged nationwide. With so much uncertainty surrounding the spread of the global health pandemic, it's unclear at the moment just how several films, television shows, and events will be affected — however in a major movie year like 2020 (Disney's live-action Mulan and F9 have already been pushed back), this is definitely unprecedented.
Here's a guide to all the entertainment assignments and live events that have been either delayed or canceled so far. We'll keep updating the list, as even more are expected to occur as COVID-19 precautions sweep the industry.
Television
Riverdale
Netflix
On March 11, a representative from Warner Bros. TV confirmed to Variety that production on the hit CW show Riverdale could be halted immediately following the discovery that a person working on the show came in recent contact with someone who'd tested positive for COVID-19.
"We have been made aware that a team member from Riverdale, which is produced in Vancouver, was recently in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19," shared a spokesperson. "The team member is now procuring medical evaluation."
The Morning Show
Apple TV+
On March 12, production on flagship Apple TV+ drama The Morning Show came grinding to a halt. Founder and CEO of Media Res, Michael Ellenberg, told Deadline the decision had been made to take a two-week hiatus "in concert" with their partners at Apple.
Ryan Murphy's The Prom
Getty Images
Despite being just a couple of days shy of wrapping up production, Murphy's feature adaptation of the Tony-nominated stage musical The Prom has shut off due to concerns over an on-location shoot at a local Los Angeles school. "No one has the coronavirus, this is just being prudent with everything that is going on around the world," a source reportedly told Deadline.
The Netflix film stars Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Rannells. It is set to premiere in 2020.
Survivor
Getty Images
On March 11, CBS reported that production on the 41st season of Survivor, which was set to start in Fiji in March, had been delayed up until May 19 "due to concerns and uncertainty surrounding the spread of COVID-19 globally," according to a statement from a CBS spokesperson.
Movies
Mulan
Disney
On March 12, Disney confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that it would push Mulan's North American theatrical release from March 27 to a new date later in the year in response to growing concerns around the novel coronavirus outbreak. The studio hasn't however reported a new release date.
No Time to Die
MGM
On March 4, MGM announced that soon after cautious "evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace" it would officially delay the latest James Bond film's release up until November 25, 2020.
F9
YouTube/The Fast Saga
On March 12, Universal Photographs confirmed that it could be postponing the ninth installment of the globally successful Fast and Furious franchise — which was set for release on May 22 — by nearly each year. It will right now hit theaters on April 2, 2021.
"To our family member and Fast fans everywhere," the statement started. "We feel all of the passion and the anticipation you have for the next chapter in our saga. That's why it's especially tough to let you know that we have to move the release date of the film." The choice to push the release date was made once it became "clear that it won't be possible" for several fans around the world to be able to see the film amid COVID-19 concerns.
Peter Rabbit 2
Sony Pictures
On March 10, Sony reported that it would push back the worldwide release of Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway from early April to August, bypassing its Easter premiere.
A Quiet Place Part II
Paramount Pictures
On March 12, A Quiet Place Part II director John Krasinski took to social media to personally announce that the horror sequel would no longer be released on March 19, citing the "ever-changing circumstances of what's going on in the world around us." Since movie-going is such a communal experience, he mentioned, "I'm gonna wait to release the film til we CAN all visualize it together."
The Lovebirds
Paramount Pictures
Per Paramount Photographs, the April release of Issa Rae and Kamail Nanjiani's modern rom-com The Lovebirds has been pushed back. Although, the studio hasn't nevertheless set a new release date.
The New Mutants
Disney
The New Mutants just can't catch a break. Immediately after numerous delays, the teenage X-Men spinoff — which was originally pushed back in January 2018 under 20th Century Fox right now owned by Disney) — has been postponed however again "out of an abundance of wariness The horror-mutant film, from director Josh Boone, was set for a April 3 release. No new release date has been set by Disney.
Antlers
Searchlight Photographs
Disney and Searchlight Photos also delayed the release of director Scott Cooper's indie horror film, which was slated for release on April 17. The studio has however to set a new premiere date for the film, which stars Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons.
Events
SXSW 2020
Getty Images
Just one week before the begin of SXSW, the City of Austin has cancelled the annual tech, music, and film festival amid growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. "SXSW will faithfully follow the City’s directions," organizers said in a statement. The fallout from the event's cancellation is far-reaching for filmmakers, distributors, and festival staff. Case in point, SXSW confirmed that layoffs would impact nearly one-third of festival staff in a required however heartbreaking step."
Tribeca Film Festival
Getty Images
On March 12, co-founder and CEO of Tribeca Enterprises, Jane Rosenthal, confirmed that she and her team had made the tough decision" to postpone the 19th Tribeca Film Festival, set to be contained April 15 through April 26 in New York City, based on Governor Andrew Cuomo's recommendation of banning events of 500 people or more to cull the spread of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
"We are devoted to ensuring the health and safety of the public while also supporting our companions, filmmakers and storytellers who look to Tribeca as a platform to showcase their work to crowds the statement read. "We will be back to you shortly with our plans."
CinemaCon
Getty Images
On March 12, organizers reported the cancellation of this year's CinemaCon, the annual Las Vegas gathering of global movie theater owners, due to concern over the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the globe.
"This year, because of the travel ban from the European Union, the special travel difficulties in several other areas of the world and other challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic, a significant portion of the worldwide motion picture community isn't able to attend CinemaCon," NATO’s John Fithian and Mitch Neuhauser mentioned in a statement to Variety. "We look forward to continuing the 10-year tradition of presenting the biggest movie theater convention in the world and joining our attendees in future celebrations of the moviegoing experience."
CinemaCon 2020 was scheduled to run March 30 to April 2.
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