With the epidemic spreading further and further around the world, the Coronavirus has led to the delay of several major events and releases. The James Bond movie No Time to Die, for example, was pushed back seven months to account for the spread of the highly contagious virus, while E3 was recently canceled for similar reasons. As it turns out, James Bond's newest mission wasn't the only major film this year to see a hefty delay, as another of 2020's biggest blockbusters has had to push back its release significantly to account for Coronavirus concerns.
That release is none other than F9, the ninth entry in the insanely popular Fast and Furious franchise, which will now be released in over a year's time to account for the Coronavirus. While the film was slated to hit cinemas on May 22 this year, it will now come to screens on April 2, 2021, instead.
A press release posted to F9's Twitter page describes why the studio decided to make the decision, with the statement claiming "we feel all the love and the anticipation you have for the next chapter in our saga. That's why it's especially tough to let you know that we have to move the release date of our film." The statement clarifies that "while we know there is disappointment in having to wait a little while longer, this move is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration. Moving will allow our global family to experience our new chapter together."
Evidently, this a fairly giant decision that hasn't been taken lightly by the minds behind the multi-million dollar franchise. Although it may be disheartening for fans of the series, it's no doubt a wise decision to save the next chapter in the Fast and Furious saga for a date where audiences can fully enjoy the big blockbuster without worrying about the implications viewing it may bring.
With the likes of No Time to Die, A Quiet Place 2, and now F9 all seeing fairly hefty delays, it's evident the Coronavirus will have a fairly major effect on the global media industry going forward. Each film would no doubt have been a big moneymaker for their respective studio and theaters across the world, meaning that their absence could make for a fairly significant dip in revenue. With so many other events and releases seeing delays and cancellations, it seems safety is rightfully the media industry's biggest concern as it pushes forward into 2020.
F9Â will be available in theaters on April 2, 2021.