Summary Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dune: Part Two, and The Color Purple may be delayed due to the ongoing strikes by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA.
Warner Bros. is considering pushing back the release of these films to 2024 if the strikes continue.
Recent reports of behind-the-scenes issues with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom add to the uncertainty surrounding these delays.
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It appears the wait for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dune: Part Two, and The Color Purple might be extended, as Warner Bros. is considering delaying the respective films due to the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Most of Hollywood is currently on pause as the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are currently on strike, following failed negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers for better terms. The WGA strike has been ongoing since May, while SAG-AFTRA commenced theirs as of July, which is affecting every Hollywood studio, including Warner Bros.
If the strikes keep going, it could potentially delay three of Warner Bros.’ upcoming 2023 films. Variety reports that the studio is considering pushing back Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dune: Part Two, and The Color Purple to 2024. This comes shortly after recent reports about Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s multiple BTS problems. At the time of this story’s publication, neither Warner Bros. Discovery nor Legendary Entertainment (which is co-producing Dune: Part Two) have commented on this report.
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Why Movies Like Dune 2 & Aquaman 2 Could Benefit From A Delay
If these films were to get rescheduled, especially with major IPs like Dune and Aquaman, it is understandable why there would be frustrations on the audience side. However, in the large scheme of things, Hollywood blockbusters like these could actually benefit in getting pushed back. Currently, Dune: Part Two is releasing on November 3, while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is heading to theaters on December 20, with The Color Purple coming out only a few days later on December 25.
For Warner Bros., the windows between Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dune: Part Two, and The Color Purple are very short and leave little breathing room, which has been a big problem for many films in 2023. This also comes at a time when actors, understandably so, can’t promote their films in light of the strikes. Promotion, which includes interviews, social media takeovers, and appearing on late-night talk shows, are just as important as trailers and posters, which are pretty much all the studios can release right now until the strikes are over.
Whether this comes to fruition remains to be seen as nothing is set in stone until Warner Bros. actually confirms if they are moving Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Dune: Part Two, and The Color Purple. It is only a matter of time before other major films from competitive studios may have to consider doing the same if the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes continue into the fall. What is most important is that the writers and actors on strike get the fair deals they deserve; if the movies end up being delayed, it is likely because studios have not returned to the negotiating table.
Source: Variety