Warner Bros. has announced release date delays for seven films, including Wonder Woman 1984The Matrix 4, and Tenet. As a result of ongoing theater closures due to the coronavirus, Warner Bros. upcoming slate has been the subject of much discussion. This is especially the case with Christopher Nolan's Tenet, as it was poised to be the first high-profile movie to premiere once theaters reopen. However, last week, it was revealed that Warner Bros. was reportedly planning on moving Tenet, but was still trying to figure out a new date.

Wonder Woman 1984 has also been a key part of the conversation, as moving it could potentially affect the DC Extended Universe's entire lineup. The sequel has already been shifted several times, including before the coronavirus hit. It held two different dates in 2019, before being bumped to June 5, 2020. Then, when theater closures began, Warner Bros. delayed it a third time, to August 14 of this year. However, as many theaters in the United States remain closed, including in some major markets, it makes sense Warner Bros. has decided to delay several of its films again.

Related: The First Movies Releasing In Theaters After Lockdown

This weekend, the studio announced Tenet will be delayed two weeks, from July 17 to July 31. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman 1984 will face a more substantial delay, from August 14 to October 2. Other films will be moved from 2020 to 2021, including Godzilla vs. Kong (November 20, 2020 to May 21, 2021), Tom & Jerry (December 23, 2020 to March 5, 2021), and the Roald Dahl adaptation The Witches (October 9, 2020 to sometime in 2021). Another high-profile movie will jump almost a full year: The Matrix 4, which moves from May 21, 21 to April 1, 2022. Additionally, Warner Bros. announced an untitled New Line horror movie will be released on June 4, 2021, while an untitled WB event film originally set for October 16, 2020 is no longer on the docket.

The Matrix 4 Neo Keanu Reeves

There's a lot to unpack in these many release date delays. For one, as of now, Tenet has lost its title as the first high-profile film to release post-coronavirus to Disney's Mulan, currently scheduled for July 24. However, it's entirely possible Disney will follow Warner Bros. lead and delay that film as well. Wonder Woman 1984's move to October puts it a little closer to Marvel's Black Widow, which releases November 6. It also means Wonder Woman 1984 will come out almost a year after its original release date of December 13, 2019. The delays by Warner Bros. also show just how few date are available on the release schedule, with Godzilla vs. Kong, for example, taking The Matrix 4's original spot.

The next few weeks will be interesting, especially as Disney decides how to proceed following Warner Bros.' decisions. There's value in hanging onto Mulan's current release date, especially if enough theaters open in time. However, it's equally possible the film becomes a cautionary tale, flopping simply because it was released too soon. However, movie fans will have to wait and see what decision Disney makes and also find out if there are more release date delays on the way.

More: Tenet’s Marketing Is Super Weird (Even By Christopher Nolan Standards)

Source: Warner Bros.

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