Warner Bros. Discovery studios have postponed the release of several films, including the highly anticipated sequel to Dune, because of the strike movement that has paralyzed Hollywood since May, according to several sources. On the X social network (formerly Twitter) the accounts dedicated to Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire posted Friday morning old and new release dates in dark rooms. The writers have been on strike since May and were joined in July by the SAG-AFTRA cast. The directives of the powerful union, which represents 160,000 actors, stuntmen, dancers and other professionals of the small and big screen, prohibit all its members from shooting but also from promoting their productions, in person or on social networks.
According to the new calendar communicated by WBD to AFP, the second part of Dune is postponed to March 15, 2024, instead of November 3, 2023. A postponement which is mainly explained by the fact that it is not possible to promote without the actors. This adaptation, by Denis Villeneuve of Frank Herbert’s cult science fiction novel, notably brings together Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Austin Butler, Léa Seydoux, Christopher Walken and Florence Pugh.
We will also have to wait a few more weeks to discover the new adventures of Godzilla and King Kong, with a release now scheduled for April 12 instead of March 15. The first installment was released in April 2021. These two films are produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Entertainment.
Japanese Kenji Kamiyama’s animated film The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim should only be viewable from December 13, 2024 instead of April 12. The first images of the film, which will mark the return of the saga to the big screen ten years after the end of The Hobbit, were unveiled at the Annecy international festival in France. It is produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema.
The social movement in Hollywood had already led to the postponement of the Emmy Awards ceremony, the most prestigious awards in American television. It was to be held on September 18, but is now scheduled for mid-January. It also shut down all American film and television productions, with a few exceptions, such as reality TV shows and game shows.