In a move that has been anticipated for several days now after the recent surge in coronavirus cases across the United States, Walt Disney Studios has decided to delay Niki Caro's Mulan by nearly a month, moving it from July 24 to August 21.
It will now open one week after Warner Bros.' Tenet, which recently moved to August 12.
Many major theater chains are expected to reopen in early July, but sources believe studios are becoming increasingly reluctant to release major tentpoles in cinemas as there is heavy skepticism that audiences will return in full force this summer, despite the installation of numerous safety measures like reduced capacity, social distancing and enforced mask-wearing.
While some have been hoping for a possible digital release for Mulan, Disney's Alan Horn and Alan Bergman reiterated in a joint statement that they fully intend on bringing the film to the biggest screens imaginable.
“While the pandemic has changed our release plans for Mulan and we will continue to be flexible as conditions require, it has not changed our belief in the power of this film and its message of hope and perseverance. Director Niki Caro and our cast and crew have created a beautiful, epic, and moving film that is everything the cinematic experience should be, and that’s where we believe it belongs – on the world stage and the big screen for audiences around the globe to enjoy together.”
In other release date news, MGM has pushed back Bill & Ted Face the Music two weeks to August 28, likely in an effort to avoid the Christopher Nolan-directed epic, and Paramount has moved Tom Clancy's Without Remorse starring Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther; Creed) from October 2 to February 26, 2021, as Patty Jenkins' Wonder Woman 1984 is now occupying the October date.
Acclaimed filmmaker Niki Caro brings the epic tale of China’s legendary warrior to life in Disney’s “Mulan,” in which a fearless young woman risks everything out of love for her family and her country to become one of the greatest warriors China has ever known.
Mulan features:
Director: Niki Caro
Liu Yifei as Hua Mulan
Donnie Yen as Commander Tung
Yoson An as Cheng Honghui
Gong Li as Xianniang
Jason Scott Lee as Böri Khan
Tzi Ma as Hua Zhou
Jet Li as The Emperor
Ron Yuan as Sergeant Qiang
Jimmy Wong as Ling
Doua Moua as Po
Chen Tang as Yao
Xana Tang as Hua Xiu
Utkarsh Ambudkar as Skatch
Chum Ehelepola as Ramtish
Nelson Lee as The Chancellor
Rosalind Chao in an undisclosed role
Cheng Pei-pei in an undisclosed role
Jun Yu as Cri-Kee
TBD as Mushu?
Mulan hits theaters April 21