Coronavirus: More Hollywood films delayed as Disney closes all its theme parks

Hollywood studios are reacting to the global coronavirus pandemic by delaying the release of more huge film releases.

Disney blockbuster Mulan is the latest film to be postponed as experts predict £3.9bn could be wiped off the global box office.

Disney has pushed back the release of its blockbuster remake of Mulan as the industry attempts to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The film had been set to arrive in UK cinemas on 27 March and its stars gathered in London on Thursday for a scaled back European premiere.

However, shortly after the cast posed for pictures on the red carpet, Disney announced the film – a remake of the 1998 animated classic – had been delayed. Disney said the film will now be released on an unspecified date later in the year, along with horror films The New Mutants and Antlers.

Some film industry analysts have reportedly estimated the outbreak could wipe £3.9bn off the global box office. Shares in Cineworld in the UK dropped by 24% on Thursday and the company has said the spread of coronavirus could make it unable to pay its debts in a worst-case scenario.

The upcoming releases of A Quiet Place 2 and the latest Fast and Furious movie, F9, have also been postponed. John Krasinski, writer and director of A Quiet Place 2, announced on Thursday that his film, a Paramount Pictures release, would not open next week as planned but be postponed to as yet-announced date.

Universal Pictures also announced that F9 won’t open on 22 May as planned but in April next year. “One of the things I’m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see together,” Krasinksi said in a message on social media. “Well due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time to do that.”

The James Bond film No Time To Die, one of the year’s biggest releases, has been pushed back from April to November. It’s not just Disney’s films which have been affected by the virus.

It is closing its California theme parks from Saturday until the end of the month, even though there have been no reported coronavirus cases at either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park.

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort will also be closing from Sunday until the end of the month, the Walt Disney Company announced.

Many British families will have had Easter breaks to the parks planned which they may now need to cancel or postpone if they can.

Restrictions on travel and large public events in some parts of the world mean many music stars are cancelling gigs due to coronavirus, including The Who, Billie Eilish and Madonna. – skynews.com