Vin Diesel’s Fast & Furious sequel F9 pushed back a year as Hollywood rushes to respond to coronavirus pandemic
- Planned April 3 release of The Lovebirds starring Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae also postponed; no new release date was given
- The Quiet Place II, and James Bond flick No Time To Die are among the releases pushed back
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Fast & Furious sequel F9 has been pushed back to 2021, as the latest big release to be delayed by the coronavirus.
The Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez film was due to hit screens in May 2020, but has now been pushed back to April 3 2021, The Hollywood Reporter reported on Thursday morning.
The Fast and Furious movies are always big earners at the domestic and international box office and the absence of F9 will impact the 2020 box office in a major way. The past two films have made over $1 billion.
Delay: Vin Diesel’s Fast & Furious sequel F9 release pushed back a year as Hollywood rushes to respond to coronavirus pandemic
Release cancelled: Vin Diesel and Nathalie Emmanuel are seen in a still from the movie
The move came just hours after director John Krasinski and Paramount announced they are delaying the release of a A Quiet Place Part II because of the pandemic.
Numerous other movies have shifted their release dates or halted production after the outbreak was officially classified as a pandemic.
Paramount postponed Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae’s romantic comedy The Lovebirds on Thursday morning, not giving a new release date, Variety reported. It had been scheduled for an April 3 release.
Last week MGM pushed the latest James Bond No Time To Die from April to November.
Postponed: Paramount postponed Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae’s romantic comedy The Lovebirds on Thursday morning, not giving a new release date
The Walt Disney Co. in particular has so far stayed the course with its releases. Mulan is still set to open in theaters on March 27 and Marvel’s Black Widow is planned for April 24.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.