Warner Bros. Considering Pushing Three Major Films to 2024 Amid Writers Guild and SAG-AFTRA Strikes
Warner Bros. is reportedly contemplating pushing back the release dates of three of its highly-anticipated films, Dune: Part Two, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and The Color Purple, to 2024. The decision comes as a result of the ongoing strikes from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA, which prohibit members from promoting any upcoming work from a struck company.
If the movies are rescheduled, it would mean a significant blow to the marketing campaigns of these films, as the strikes prevent cast members from participating in red carpet premieres, Q&A sessions, press junkets, and interviews. While Warner Bros. has not provided any official comment on the matter, insiders believe that the consideration to push these films into the following year indicates that the studio does not anticipate the strikes being resolved by the fall.
Dune: Part Two, which is set to be released on November 3, is the highly-anticipated conclusion to the 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science-fiction novel. The star-studded cast includes Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, and Christopher Walken. The first part of Dune was a commercial success, earning $402 million worldwide despite its simultaneous release on HBO Max.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to the 2018 hit Aquaman, also faces potential delays. The original film grossed $1.148 billion worldwide and starred Jason Momoa in the titular role. Director James Wan recently conducted an unprecedented round of reshoots for the film, further complicating its release schedule.
The Color Purple is another highly-anticipated adaptation, based on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The previous 1985 adaptation, directed by Steven Spielberg, garnered 11 Oscar nominations. The new adaptation, helmed by director Blitz Bazawule, features a star-studded cast including Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, and Danielle Brooks.
While no official release dates have been announced for the potential 2024 releases, the consideration by Warner Bros. reflects the studio’s concerns regarding the extended duration of the ongoing strikes. The decision would provide more time for filmmakers to perfect their projects and ensures a smooth transition under the new leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios.