Disney delays Avatar, Marvel and Star Wars movies as it shuffles releases

Disney connected Tuesday revealed a shakeup of its movie merchandise calendar, delaying respective entries successful the Avatar, Marvel and Star Wars franchises.

The institution hasn't elaborated connected the decisions down the merchandise day rearrangements, though studios often set their schedules for a assortment of reasons. The moves travel arsenic a writers' strike cripples the movie and tv industry, which is causing accumulation shutdowns that could impact merchandise timelines. 

Various salient films and shows person either halted oregon concluded accumulation prematurely since the opening of the strike. These see Netflix's "Stranger Things,"  "AppleTV+'s "Severance," and Paramount's "Evil," CNBC reported successful May. 

Disney did not instantly respond to the requests for comment. 

James Cameron's 3rd "Avatar" movie was moved from 2024 to December 2025, with the 4th movie pursuing successful 2029. The merchandise calendar of the institution indicates that the 5th installment successful the franchise is present slated for 2031. "Avatar," released successful 2009, and "Avatar: The Way of Water," released precocious past year, are 2 of the 3 highest-grossing films worldwide.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the precocious renamed "Captain America: Brave New World" volition beryllium delayed from May to July adjacent year, with "Thunderbolts" shifting to December 2024, "Blade" moving to February 2025, and "Fantastic Four" present slated for May 2025.

The changes besides impact the 2 upcoming Avengers movies successful the MCU. "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty" has been pushed backmost by a twelvemonth to May 2026. "Avengers: Secret Wars" volition not beryllium released until May 2027. 

Actor Jonathan Majors, who played Kang successful Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," was arrested for battle earlier this twelvemonth and reportedly faces much accusations of abuse. He has denied the allegations done his attorneys, but was dropped by his longtime absorption company, previous reports said. Marvel has remained soundless connected Majors' case.

After the container bureau disappointment of the actor's "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania," Disney CEO Bob Iger pondered whether Marvel should prioritize fresher characters alternatively than continuing to make 3rd and 4th films for established bequest characters.

Disney besides delayed a planned "Star Wars" movie from December 2025 to May 2026. It added different "Star Wars" movie to the schedule, too: it's acceptable for December 2026. Disney has not released a Star Wars film since "The Rise of Skywalker" in 2019.