The Marvel Cinematic Universe isn't the only franchise to be hit by some major delays because Disney just found new homes for a number of upcoming sci-fi projects.
As we first reported on SFFGazette.com, even though Avatar 3 had been slated for a December 20, 2024 debut, Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts taking that date means it's now heading our way on December 19, 2025.
As a result, Avatar 4 has shifted to December 21, 2029 and Avatar 5 is taking aim at a December 19, 2031 release.
That's right, studios have just started dating movies into the next decade!
The reason for the long wait when it comes to the fourth and fifth instalments is that they haven't been shot yet. Avatar 3, on the other hand, is already in post-production, but James Cameron and company now have even more time to get that where they want it. Oh, and if you want us to crunch the numbers, what's expected to be the filmmaker's final Avatar movie will be released 22 years after the original 2009 blockbuster.
In terms of Star Wars, an untitled project has been set for December 18, 2026. A previously dated movie has shifted from December 19, 2025 to May 22, 2026, so that means we're getting two in the same year, the first time that's happened since 2017 (Solo: A Star Wars Story and Star Wars: The Last Jedi).
We're getting another untitled Star Wars movie on December 17, 2027, and common sense says these are the three announced at Star Wars Celebration back in April. Those are heading our way from filmmakers Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, James Mangold, and Dave Filoni.
Finally, Fede Álvarez's Alien reboot is going to receive a theatrical release (unlike Predator reboot Prey which debuted on Hulu) as it's been set for August 16, 2024.
There's a lot to digest here, but it's going to be a very busy few years for the genre. Of all the movies listed here, though, it's Star Wars we'd most like to see get back on the right track and actually stick to those release dates.