Twentieth Century Studios' The New Mutants is sticking to its theatrical release date in August, as confirmed during the film's Comic-Con@Home panel. The Marvel Comics movie was originally set up at 20th Century Fox as another entry in their X-Men film franchise, and was originally envisioned to launch a trilogy from director Josh Boone. However, though The New Mutants was originally slated for a 2018 release, it was hit with multiple delays. First, The New Mutants was delayed for reshoots, which were difficult to schedule with its young cast in high demand on other projects. Then, those reshoots never occurred because The New Mutants was one of many Fox films that transitioned over to Disney when the Mouse House acquired Fox's movie and TV assets in the 2019 blockbuster deal, which was in the works starting from late 2018.
When The New Mutants and Dark Phoenix, the last mainline X-Men film, moved to Disney, the two were left in a bit of limbo until the Mouse House decided on release dates. Dark Phoenix hit theaters last summer, but New Mutants' future was unclear. There were rumors circulating that New Mutants would release on Hulu, skipping a theatrical bow entirely. However, those rumors were squashed when the movie received an April release date - though the Covid-19 pandemic once again delayed it, with Disney announcing a new release date for August. Now, the X-Men movie's release is sticking.
Disney and 20th Century Studios confirmed The New Mutants is sticking to its current August 28 release date - for now. At the start of the Comic-Con@Home panel, New Mutants poked fun at its own delays, then confirmed the August date, with a little note underneath reading, "Fingers crossed." See it below.
Considering the state of the world, and the slow reopening of movie theaters in the U.S., it seems unlikely The New Mutants will keep its current August release date. Other blockbusters like Disney's Mulan and Warner Bros' Tenet have vacated their August dates - though neither have set new release dates so they could perhaps return to the month if the studios decide. Many have speculated and suggested The New Mutants should release on Hulu or Disney+, partly because the film's been delayed so many times fans just want to see it. Plus, given the poor box office receipts of Dark Phoenix, it's unclear if New Mutants was bound for a successful run even if it weren't contending with a global pandemic.
Perhaps Disney could follow in the footsteps of Orion Pictures' Bill & Ted Face the Music and release The New Mutants in theaters and video on-demand at the same time. That way theaters have a chance to reopen and show a new movie, but folks who don't feel comfortable going to theaters yet can watch from the comfort of their own home. In fact, fans are so sure Disney will eventually release the final Fox X-Men movie on streaming, that a fake New Mutants trailer announcing a Disney+ release made the rounds online this week and convinced many it was real. However, for now Disney is sticking to The New Mutants' August release date - but that may change. And if The New Mutants is delayed again, it's unclear whether it will remain a theatrical release or if five is the magic number of delays to secure the film a streaming release.
