The cinema release date for Disney's 'Mulan' has been delayed indefinitely. AP
The cinema release date for Disney's 'Mulan' has been delayed indefinitely. AP
The cinema release date for Disney's 'Mulan' has been delayed indefinitely. AP
The cinema release date for Disney's 'Mulan' has been delayed indefinitely. AP

'Mulan', 'Avatar 2', 'Star Wars' and more: When will Hollywood's delayed films hit cinemas?


Emma Day
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You'll need to put that popcorn on ice for a little bit longer.

A number of blockbuster films have this week had their long-touted release dates pushed back yet again, as many cinemas around the world remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Studios have subsequently scrambled to postpone release dates, to ensure moviegoers will be able to see the latest Hollywood titles on the big screen.

James Bond's 25th film, No Time to Die, Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Widow are among the big-name titles which have already been postponed.

Below, we've rounded up the most anticipated films which have had their previously advertised release dates shelved this week.

'Avatar 2'

‘Avatar’, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, became the highest-grossing film of all time when it was released in 2009. AP
‘Avatar’, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, became the highest-grossing film of all time when it was released in 2009. AP

Disney has pushed back the release date for the sequel to its 2009 fantasy epic. Originally due to hit cinemas in December 2021, the follow-up to James Cameron's hit film, set in the imagined world of Pandora, is now scheduled for December 16, 2022.

The news has also affected the three further sequels planned, with Avatar 3 moving to December 2024, Avatar 4 moving to December 2026 and Avatar 5 closing the chapter in December 2028.

Director Cameron addressed the news in a post on social media on Thursday, July 23, saying "there is no one more disappointed about this delay than me".

While filming resumed in New Zealand in June, the filmmaker added that production in Los Angeles still remained on pause.

"But I am buoyed by the incredible performances of our cast and the extraordinary work that Weta Digital is doing brining the world of Pandora and the characters of the film to life," Cameron added in his statement.

'Mulan'

The live-action remake of Disney’s 1998 animated classic has been delayed for a third time, having first been pushed back from March to July, and then until August.

The $200 million (Dh734.6m) remake, which stars Liu Yifei in the title role, will now be indefinitely postponed.

"Over the last few months, it's become clear that nothing can be set in stone when it comes to how we release films during this global health crisis," Disney said in a statement on Thursday, July 23. "Today that means pausing our release plans for Mulan as we assess how we can most effectively bring this film to audiences around the world."

'Star Wars'

The latest trilogy in the intergalactic franchise has pushed back each of its release dates by a year. The first in the trio, which was due to be unveiled in December 2022, will now arrive in cinemas in December 2023, with the other two films released in 2025 and 2027 respectively.

'Tenet'

The release of Christopher Nolan's much-anticipated sci-fi flick has been delayed indefinitely, Warner Bros said on Monday, July 20.

The latest postponement is the fourth time the release date for the big-budget movie has been changed because of the pandemic. The film was originally scheduled for release on July 17, then changed to July 31 and later to August 12.

"Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to proliferate, causing us to re-evaluate our release dates," Warner Bros Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich said in a statement.

'Top Gun: Maverick'

You'll have to wait a little longer to see Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reprise their roles from the 1986 classic. The sequel, which also stars Jon Hamm, Miles Teller and Ed Harris, is moving from December 23, 2020 to July 1, 2021, according to Paramount.

"We truly believe that there is no movie-viewing experience like the one enjoyed in theatres," Paramount president of domestic distribution, Chris Aronson, said in a statement.

'A Quiet Place II'

The follow-up to the 2018 thriller hit is being delayed from September 4, 2020 to April 23, 2021. The John Krasinski-directed film, which stars Emily Blunt alongside Cillian Murphy and Noah Jupe, follows the story of the Abbott family, who face threats as they fight for their survival in silence, in a world where monsters are attracted to sound.

'Spider-Man 3'

The Marvel Universe has announced that the third chapter in its Spider-Man story, starring Tom Holland, has been delayed from November 5, 2021 to December 17, 2021.

All release dates are subject to change.

THE CLOWN OF GAZA

Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah 

Starring: Alaa Meqdad

Rating: 4/5

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 race, 12:30pm

Formula 1 final practice, 2pm

Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm

Formula 2 race, 6:40pm

Performance: Sam Smith