The Batman's greatest threat is not The Riddler, Catwoman, or The Penguin but COVID-19, as the film may be delayed again due to the virus. The latest reboot of the caped crusader has begun its full push marketing swing as images of the various characters have been released, causing discussion about the reimagined heroes and villains. Anticipation for The Batman has been high ever since the film was first announced, and the film is set to be released ten years following The Dark Knight Rises hit theaters.
The Batman was initially set to open in theaters on June 25, 2021, but was delayed to October 1, 2021, to accommodate the delay in filming caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then in October 2020, just two months after the first teaser for the film was released at DC Fandome, Warner Bros. decided to delay the film to March 4, 2022. While the reason listed was COVID-19, it is likely the other factor was WarnerMedia's upcoming decision to release all their 2021 slate day and date with HBO Max and theaters. The studio did not want to lose out on the box office profits of a Batman film, one of the most consistent moneymakers.
Now it appears the COVID-19 pandemic may cause another delay to The Batman as Jason Kilar, the CEO of WarnerMedia, said they are monitoring the situation closely. In an interview with Puck News via Comicbook.com, Kilar said they are feeling good about the film's release date, and as of this moment, they have no plans to delay the release. Kilar did say they are still paying close attention and monitoring the situation, suggesting a delay is still on the table.
"We're certainly paying attention to everything going on with Omicron. We feel good about the date right now. We're gonna watch it day by day."
While Kilar still is sticking to the current release date, it is still entirely Warner Bros could delay the film again. Not only did Sony Pictures delay Morbius from January to April, Disney decided to take Pixar's Turning Red, which was set to open the week after The Batman, off the theatrical release schedule and put it straight to streaming on Disney+. Yet The Batman could remain in theaters, as the 2021 box-office showed that audiences have been willing to go out for superhero films, and following the massive success of Spider-Man: No Way Home at the box office, Warner Bros. is likely optimistic that their most popular superhero will draw audiences in.
If The Batman does get delayed, it could cause a domino effect on the other DC films set to be released. 2022 is set to have five different movies based on DC properties. If Warner Bros. delays The Batman, it could end up in a summer slot which has been a great success to the character, suggesting it could take the May 2022 release date occupied by DC's League of Super-Pets or the July 2022 release date of Black Adam. That would then cause a delay to one of those films, likely affecting The Flash and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, which are set for later in 2022.
Source: Comicbook.com
