Dune 2 release date may shift to 2024 as labor strikes rage – Variety

Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic “Dune” may be riding a sandworm until 2024.

Amid two controversial labor strikes in Hollywood, Warner Bros. Film Group is aggressively pushing Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya next year from their current Nov. 3 slot, according to three individuals familiar with the discussions. diverse. An insider said the film is a co-production with Legendary Entertainment and both parties must agree on a new release date. They added that Legendary had not yet been approached by the World Bank about the move. Another source familiar with Warner Bros. said: The releases are proceeding as originally planned and no official discussions have taken place, but he noted that the duration of guild battles is not entirely predictable.

Warner Bros. spokesmen declined. and Legendary Entertainment for comment.

In addition, Warner Bros. evaluating potential new dates for the anticipated Oprah Winfrey-produced musical “The Color Purple,” as well as DC Studios’ sequel “Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom,” sources said. The potential date mix-up comes as a result of the SAG-AFTRA union strike and the Writers Guild of America, at war with show business producers for new contracts.

A movie like “Dune 2” would benefit greatly from the participation of its cast — which also includes Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin — and current union restrictions say these actors cannot promote past or future works produced and released by the ill-fated companies.

The possibility of Warners looking forward suggests that the studio isn’t confident the union strike will be resolved by mid-fall. “The Color Purple” and “Aquaman” are currently dated December 20 and December 25, respectively. One industry player noted that a title like “The Color Purple” hinges on an aggressive award campaign. Campaigns for the Oscars and Golden Globes could be disrupted by the prolonged strike.

Warner Bros. sure. It’s not the only studio in town setting a release calendar. Major films in the same lane as the “Dune” sequel include Disney’s “The Marvels” on November 10 and the Lionsgate franchise reboot “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” on November 17. Columbia Pictures is also set to bring Apple Studios’ “Napoleon” to theaters November 22, directed by and starring Gidley Scott.