According to a recent report by Deadline, Sony Pictures has made significant changes to its upcoming theatrical lineup for 2023 and 2024 due to the ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA and WGA.
Films such as Kraven the Hunter, the Ghostbusters: Afterlife Sequel, Venom 3, and They Listen will be affected by these changes. With guild actors unable to promote their films, it is expected that there will be several delays in Sony’s upcoming theatrical releases, and these dates are subject to further changes.
The R-rated film Kraven the Hunter, featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson (known for his role in Avengers: Age of Ultron), will be the first to experience a delay. The release date has been pushed back from October 6, 2023, to August 30, 2024, coinciding with the Labor Day weekend. On the other hand, the untitled Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel was originally scheduled to be released just in time for the holidays, on December 20, 2023.
According to Deadline, the upcoming sequel has been scheduled for release on March 29, 2024, coinciding with Easter. Although the film’s photography has been completed, the production is still in search of actors to add the finishing touches. Interestingly, the Ghostbusters sequel will be taking over the release date originally reserved for the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Beyond the Spiderverse.
While not all changes to the schedule result in delays, it is worth noting that Sony has rescheduled Venom 3 for July 12, 2024. Previously, it was anticipated to be released around Halloween in October 2024. However, given the competitive landscape around this particular date, it is advisable not to set our expectations too firmly on this specific date.
The schedule change also affects the joint project between Blumhouse and Sony, titled They Listen, which features renowned actors John Cho (known for his role in Searching) and Katherine Waterston (recognized for her performance in Alien: Covenant). Although the horror film was initially delayed by a whole year, it is currently absent from the schedule without a definite release date. As the specifics of the plot have yet to be disclosed and the absence of a release date persists, They Listen continues to be shrouded in mystery.
Given the AMPTP’s unwillingness to cooperate and engage in further negotiations, it is reasonable to anticipate an increase in both release date adjustments and delays in the upcoming months.
