Thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Hollywood is looking a lot like a disaster movie right now. Countless films and TV shows have been postponed, and with theater doors currently closed, no one is really certain what's going to happen next (despite attempts to re-open them).
In recent weeks, we've seen a swathe of delays, and many highly anticipated 2020 movies have been pushed into 2021. Even some 2021 releases have been pushed further away than expected, and it's beginning to feel like we'll be lucky to see anything on the big screen this year.
Now, we're taking a closer look at all the major superhero movies and TV shows that are no longer heading our way this year, along with those we're not sure will see the light of day in 2020 as planned. That's a depressing thought, but as we explain here, a very likely possibility right now.
To take a look through this feature, all you guys have to do is click on the "Next" button below!
10: Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Status: Definitely Delayed
Previous Release Date: October 2nd, 2020
New Release Date: June 25th, 2021
What We Know: Principal photography wrapped up shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic started closing down films and TV shows across the globe, but director Andy Serkis will be unable to helm reshoots, ADR, and most other post-production work given the current climate.
The newly titled Venom: Let There Be Carnage is a VFX heavy movie, so it's no great surprise that it's been delayed, and it could do well in a slot previously held by The Batman.
9. Superman & Lois
Status: Likely Delayed
Previous Release Date: Fall 2020
New Release Date: Unknown
What We Know: The CW has given Superman & Lois a series order without seeing a pilot, so they're clearly confident that a TV show revolving around the Man of Steel will be a success.
Unfortunately, with the likes of The Flash, Supergirl, and Batwoman unable to finish their current seasons, it's impossible to imagine this spinoff meeting an October premiere date. Instead, we'll likely see Superman & Lois slip into 2021 for a mid season premiere in January/February.
8. The Falcon And The Winter Soldier
Status: Likely Delayed
Previous Release Date: August 2020
New Release Date: Unknown
What We Know: Disney announced that The Falcon and The Winter Soldier would arrive on its streaming service this August, but with the show's cast sent home halfway through a shoot in Prague, there's no way it can be finished in time (especially with rumblings that huge chunks of early episodes need to be reshot to remove references to a COVID-19 style virus).
If Hollywood gets back to work sooner rather than later, it might be with us by the end of the year, but given how grim things are looking right now, we're definitely not going to bank on that.
7. Wonder Woman 1984
Status: Likely Delayed
Previous Release Date: June 5th, 2020
New Release Date: August 14th, 2020
What We Know: Warner Bros. understandably removed Wonder Woman 1984 from its planned June release to later in the summer, but theaters being open again by then on a widespread global scale is highly doubtful. Will moviegoers even be willing to return to them at this point?
Again, it seems unlikely, and unless the studio is willing to consider a Digital release, we're betting that this one slips into the winter in a best case scenario, but more likely in 2021 instead.
6. Morbius
Status: Definitely Delayed
Previous Release Date: July 31st, 2020
New Release Date: March 19th, 2021
What We Know: With little excitement from fans about this latest Spider-Man spinoff, a summer release date may have been its best chance of finding a large audience. Instead, it's now been pushed to next March, a difficult slot which could see it crash and burn at the box office.
On the plus side, people might be willing to return to theaters in droves by then, and without a second trailer and more details, it was definitely way too early to completely write this one off.
5. The New Mutants
Status: Definitely Delayed
Previous Release Date: April 3rd, 2020
New Release Date: Unknown
What We Know: The fact that The New Mutants was ever given a release date by Disney is a surprise considering Marvel Studios has plans to reboot the X-Men franchise, but it's back to being undated.
A Disney+ debut isn't going to happen due to an old Fox deal with HBO, but it could head straight to Digital platforms instead (let's face it, people are going to buy/rent it out of curiosity if nothing else). However, if that doesn't happen, then it being dumped in theaters early on in 2021 does sadly make sense.
4. Eternals
Status: Definitely Delayed
Previous Release Date: November 6th, 2020
New Release Date: February 12th, 2021
What We Know: The entire Phase 4 slate has been delayed, and that means Eternals has been pushed from its planned November 6th, 2020 debut to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' old slot next February. Black Panther found success there, so Eternals hopefully will as well.
It's unlikely reshoots planned for this summer can take place as planned, hence why it's slipped out of this year (don't forget a lot of post-production work which is undoubtedly needed as well).
3. WandaVision
Status: Likely Delayed
Previous Release Date: December 2020
New Release Date: Unknown
What We Know: It's thought that most of WandaVision has been finished, so there's a chance it could still arrive this December (assuming post-production work has also been completed).
However, we can't say for sure, and given its late premiere date, don't be surprised if this one slips into 2021, even if that does ultimately hurt the Disney+ streaming service in a big way.
2. Black Widow
Status: Likely Delayed
Previous Release Date: May 1st, 2020
New Release Date: November 6th, 2020
What We Know: Yes, Black Widow now has Eternals' old release date, but will it be able to meet that target? You would certainly hope so, but with analysts predicting a second peak of coronavirus in the Fall/Winter, it's far too soon to start getting our hopes up in that respect.
This would be undeniably devastating, and it will be down to Disney to decide if they want to further postpone the Phase 4 slate and make Black Widow a 2021 release instead. Alternatively, they could head down the Digital route, a viable option when they need a cash injection.
1. Green Arrow And The Canaries
Status: Definitely Delayed
Previous Release Date: Fall 2020
New Release Date: Unknown
What We Know: While a Fall 2020 debut was never confirmed, it did seem as if The CW was going to give Arrow spinoff Green Arrow and the Canaries a shot this October alongside Superman & Lois.
Instead, we've heard nothing, and with even the cast pointing to COVID-19 being a likely cause of that, you have to believe that the show has fallen by the wayside. A 2021 premiere seems likely, but we wouldn't be surprised if it slips into either the summer or even next fall instead.