“Top Gun: Maverick,” “Black Widow” Release Dates Pushed Back

The wait just got a bit longer for movie lovers eagerly waiting for the release of “Top Gun: Maverick.”

New Release Date for “Top Gun: Maverick” Announced

A spokesperson for Paramount confirmed Thursday that the release date for “Top Gun: Maverick” in North America had been moved from June 24 to December 23. This development is, of course, related to the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic which has led to the shutting down of movie theaters, gyms, and recreational centers across the country.

This sequel to the hit 1986 film has the A-list actor, Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role as US Naval aviator Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.

For those who are bummed, they can always get their hands on the “Top Gun: Maverick” Zoom background. This background has become incredibly popular as many people around the country teleconference from their quarantined or isolated locations.

“Top Gun: Maverick” also stars other actors such as Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Val Kilmer, and is directed by Joseph Kosinski.

“Black Widow” Release Date Moved

In a related development and amid the closing of theaters and scrambling of studios, no thanks to the pandemic, Disney made a few significant moves which includes moving “Black Widow” to the fall of 2020 while slating a sequel to “Captain Marvel” for 2022.

“Black Widow” is the solo effort of Scarlett Johansson as she reprises her role as the Avengers heroine. The release date for the Marvel film was set for May 1, but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been rescheduled for November 6. And this pivotal move has created a domino effect for the rest of the future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Domino Effect

For instance, “The Eternals” has been shifted from November 6 to February 12, 2021, while “Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” moves from February 12, 2021, to May 7, 2021.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” whose original release date was May 7, 2021, is now slated for November 5, 2021.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” was previously slated for release on November 5, 2021, but the movie will no longer see the light of day on that particular date. It will be released on February 18, 2022.

“Captain Marvel 2” stars Brie Larson reprising her role in the cinematic film, will be released by July 8, 2022.

Other News from Disney

The live-action remake of “Mulan” was initially set for release – before coronavirus – on March 27. The Asian-based film is now slated for release for July 24.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson/Emily Blunt action-comedy adventure “Jungle Cruise” has been shifted from July 24 to July 30. Even the video-game movie “Free Guy” starring Ryan Reynolds goes from July 3 to December 11 while “Bob’s Burgers,” an animated film, shifts from July 17 to April 9, 2021.

Many other films set for release this year has been rescheduled due to pandemic. Two notable ones are Daniel Craig’s last appearance as the iconic British spy James Bond in “No Time to Die” and Fast 9.