While the coronavirus has led to the cancellation / rescheduling of a handful of sporting and culture events in Australia, the virus has also heavily impacted the TV and film industry, not just in Australia – goodbye live audiences – but on the other side of the world too. A slew of titles have halted production to curb the spread of the virus and films have had global releases pushed back as officials encourage the general public to give social distancing a red hot go. But like every industry that depends on the people, the coronavirus has made its mark. Variety reports ticket sales in North America hit their lowest in more than two bloody decades.
Below is a list of major TV shows and films that have been put on ice as the world awaits what’s next. And by major I mean titles I think you either a) care about or b) will care about or c) still sort of care about.
Film
Disney / Marvel
Disney has shut down production on a slew of titles including Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (starring absolute angel Simu Liu), The Little Mermaid, and Peter Pan & Wendy. I actually had no idea about that last one, but here we are. Disney has reportedly cast Ever Anderson, the daughter of Milla Jovovich, as Wendy and Alexander Molony will play Peter Pan in the live-action film.
Baz Luhrmann’s Untitled Elvis Film
Director Baz Luhrmann is reported in quarantine after coming in contact with Tom Hanks, who tested positive for COVID-19, on the set of the director’s untitled Elvis Presley movie. Hanks stars as Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker. As a result, Warner Bros. has paused production.
A Quiet Place Part II | Original Release Date: 19 March, 2020
Director John Krasinski, who also appears in the sequel, confirmed the movie will be released at a later date.
“As insanely exacted as we are for all of you to see this movie… I’m gonna wait to release the film ’til we CAN all see it together,” he said in a statement on Twitter.
#AQuietPlacePart2…Take2 pic.twitter.com/YrCXLLpxjh
— John Krasinski (@johnkrasinski) March 12, 2020
Mulan | Original Release Date: 26 March, 2020
Disney has also pushed back the international release date of its live-action version of Mulan. The original release date was March 26 (Australia), with no word yet on a new release date.
No Time To Die | Original Release Date: 3 April, 2020
Earlier this month, which genuinely feels like a whole year ago, Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson announced the release of the 25th Bond movie would be pushed back to November 2020.
MGM, Universal and Bond producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, announced today that after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace, the release of NO TIME TO DIE will be postponed until November 2020. pic.twitter.com/a9h1RP5OKd
— James Bond (@007) March 4, 2020
Fast And Furious 9 | Original Release Date: 21 May, 2020
Fast and Furious 9 has moved its 2020 release date to April 2021, with North America opening on April 2.
“While we know there is disappointment in having to wait a little while longer, this move is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration.
“Moving will allow our global family to experience our new chapter together.”
#F9 pic.twitter.com/agQAFNLm9w
— The Fast Saga (@TheFastSaga) March 12, 2020
The Batman | Original Release Date: 2021
Matt Reeves‘ The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson‘s chin, suspended production in London after about three months on set.
“Warner Bros. Pictures feature production of The Batman will hiatus filming for two weeks beginning today (March 14),” the studio said in a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. “The studio will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Reeves has gifted fans a couple of sneak peeks from the new film, including looks at Batman’s new ride and the man himself.
🦇🏎 #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/qJFNprk1ut
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) March 4, 2020
#TheBatman#CameraTesthttps://t.co/M1tAE2aTA1
— Matt Reeves (@mattreevesLA) February 13, 2020
Mission: Impossible 7 | Original Release Date: 23 July, 2021
Last month, production on the seventh Mission Impossible flick terminated production in Venice.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three-week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for Mission: Impossible 7,” a Paramount spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mission: Impossible 8 has already been given the green light for August 5, 2022, if all goes to plan.
The Lovebirds | Original Release Date: 3 April, 2020
Loverbirds, a romantic comedy starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae, has had its April 3 release date scrapped. Paramount has not announced a new release date, but we’ll keep you updated. Love me a good romcom. The Big Sick, based on the beautiful love story of Nanjiani and his wife Emily V. Gordon, is available on Netflix if you feel like crying / happy crying a bunch.
Jurassic World: Dominion | Original Release Date: 2021
Universal has temporarily stopped filming Colin Trevorrow‘s Jurassic World: Dominion, which I honestly just wrote about at the end of last month because it had just started filming. The third film in the new trilogy stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and the original three Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum.
TV Shows
Netflix Originals
Netflix has shut down all scripted TV and film productions in US and Canada for two weeks, starting Monday, March 16. This includes a whole number of titles, including the fourth season of Stranger Things, Grace and Frankie season 7, and Lucifer season 5.
Disney / Marvel
According to Deadline, Marvel Studios has temporarily shut up shop on Loki, WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Disney had just started to hype the collection of heroes, unleashing a teaser at Super Bowl LIV. Seems like a lifetime ago, to be honest.
The Witcher | Season 2
The Witcher season 2 has suspended production for two weeks, Deadline reports. The series, which stars Henry Cavil in the title role, had been filming in the UK.
Netflix sent an email to the cast and crew saying an “individual” tested positive for Covid-19 on set. Production on set at Arborfield Studios had already been paused, “but as a further precaution we will be closing production offices … and arranging for deep cleaning and disinfection.” Though Netflix didn’t explicitly name the “individual”, I assume it’s Game of Thrones beast Kristofer Hivju, who joined the cast of The Witcher‘s second season as Nivellen. The actor announced on Tuesday morning that he contracted Covid-19.
Hivju assured fans he’s doing just fine and only displaying “mild symptoms of a cold”.
Lord of the Rings | Season 1
Amazon’s ginormous Lord of the Rings series has suspended production in West Auckland for two weeks, beginning on March 16. The New Zealand Herald said a memo was sent to all 800 cast and crew members on Sunday, saying “there are no clear answers to when we will resume production”.
“We will continue to monitor events as they develop to help determine the best course of action for all,” the memo said.
Euphoria | Season 2
HBO has suspended production on the second season of Euphoria, which had just kicked off a few days earlier.
here we go !!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Qyf0fzEAdk
— euphoria (@euphoriaHBO) March 11, 2020
“We’re pausing production, for now, to make sure everyone on our cast and crew stays safe,” the show tweeted. “Don’t worry. We’ll be back stronger than ever before.”
we’re pausing production, for now, to make sure everyone on our cast and crew stays safe.
don’t worry.
we’ll be back stronger than ever before💜
— euphoria (@euphoriaHBO) March 16, 2020
Riverdale | Season 4
Riverdale shut down production after a member of the team came into contact with someone who recently tested positive for the virus, Variety reports.
“We have been made aware that a team member from ‘Riverdale,’ which is produced in Vancouver, was recently in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. The team member is currently receiving a medical evaluation,” a spokesperson for Warner Bros. TV said.
It is not known if the member was part of the cast or crew.
“Out of an abundance of caution, production on ‘Riverdale’ is currently suspended,” they said.
Peaky Blinders + Line of Duty | Season 6
The sixth seasons of Peaky Blinders and Line of Duty have been put on hold, the BBC confirmed.
“In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, the producers – Caryn Mandabach Productions and Tiger Aspect Productions – of Peaky Blinders S6 have postponed filming, and World Productions on Line of Duty S6 have suspended filming, both in consultation with and supported by the BBC,” a spokesperson told The Guardian.
Handmaid’s Tale | Season 4
Deadline reports the fourth season of the dystopian series has suspended production. It is not yet know when filming will continue.
Saturday Night Live | Season 45
In an announcement on Tuesday, NBC said SNL will not return “until further notice.” It’s not clear if NBC will complete the season, given there’s only six episodes yet. John Krasinski was set to host the show upon its return from hiatus on March 28, with Dua Lipa as musical guest.
Grey’s Anatomy | Season 16
Grey’s Anatomy has temporarily paused production on its 16th season for at least two weeks, Deadline reports. The team had just wrapped filming the 21st episode of the 25-episode season.
