As movie studios and exhibitors head into the new year, uncertainly over the COVID-19 pandemic is causing even more release date shifts.
Sony Pictures revealed on Monday that they are pushing their Spider-Man spin-off Morbius into Fall 2021, according to Deadline.
While the movie was currently slated to arrive on March 19, it will now hit theaters on October 8, which could be the first of many spring projects to move.
Date shift: Sony Pictures revealed on Monday that they are pushing their Spider-Man spin-off Morbius into Fall 2021, according to Deadline
With just nine days left until the Biden Administration is sworn into the White House, many hope the new administration will get the virus under control.
The box office is still suffering, with a Sunday report from Deadline claiming that upwards of 60% of movie theaters across the country are still shut down.
While there new movies slated for release in the next few months, such as Liam Neeson’s The Marksman (January 15), Denzel Washington’s The Little Things (January 29) and Bob Odenkirk’s Nobody (February 26), it remains to be seen if other March movies will be shifted.
Virus: With just nine days left until the Biden Administration is sworn into the White House, many hope the new administration will get the virus under control
As of now, other March movies slated for wide release include Chaos Walking starring Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley (March 5), the animated film Raya and the Last Dragon (March 5), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent starring Pedro Pascal and Nicolas Cage (March 19), along with the highly-anticipated James Bond movie No Time to Die (April 2).
Sony’s decision to push the release date instead of simply shifting it to a streaming service indicates it’s an important project for the studio, as it continues setting up its Spider-Man spin-off universe.
Morbius comes on the heels of 2018’s Venom, starring Tom Hardy, which earned $856 million worldwide from a $100 million budget.
Important: Sony’s decision to push the release date instead of simply shifting it to a streaming service indicates it’s an important project for the studio, as it continues setting up its Spider-Man spin-off universe.
While it’s unclear if there are any direct ties to Venom, Morbius does have a connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Michael Keaton returning as Adrian Toomes a.k.a. Vulture, from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Morbius follows biochemist Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), who suffers from a rare blood condition and is working furiously to find a cure for himself.
While working on this cure, he ultimately injects himself with a form of vampirism instead.
Connection: While it’s unclear if there are any direct ties to Venom, Morbius does have a connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Michael Keaton returning as Adrian Toomes a.k.a. Vulture, from 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming
Story: Morbius follows biochemist Michael Morbius (Jared Leto), who suffers from a rare blood condition and is working furiously to find a cure for himself
Leto stars alongside Matt Smith, Adria Arjona, Jared Harris, Tyrese Gibson and Al Madrigal in the film from director Daniel Espinosa (Life) and writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Power Rangers).
Leto also stars in The Little Things with Denzel Washington, due out January 29, and he’ll be back as The Joker in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, debuting on HBO Max in March.
He also recently revealed that he’s starring in a third Tron movie, and he’s also starring in Ridley Scott’s Gucci with Lady Gaga, Adam Driver and Al Pacino.
Coming soon: Leto also stars in The Little Things with Denzel Washington, due out January 29, and he’ll be back as The Joker in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, debuting on HBO Max in March