The only words to describe what must be going on behind the scenes at Warner Bros right now are abject Chaos. The dust has still not settled from the shelving of Batgirl and Scoob, and fans are in an uproar about the removal of popular animated series from series like Infinity Train and OK KO. They’ve also announced several other upcoming projects have been canceled (with the possibility of being shopped to other streamers) including the Bruce Timm/JJ Abram Batman cartoon and the Steven Urkel animated Christmas special. Now, Deadline is reporting that several big films are being juggled around the release schedule.
The two biggest moves are James Wan’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom which is moving from March 17, 2023 to December 25, 2023 and Shazam: Fury of the Gods which is moving from its December 21st, 2022 date to Aquaman 2‘s old date. This will not only backfill the slot emptied by Aquaman, but it will move Shazam into a slot where it doesn’t have to compete with Avatar 2. The Aquaman move is said to involve some significant edits and re-shoots that need to happen. We have a feeling that they might be editing out one particular cast member and possibly reshooting her scenes with someone new.
Also getting new dates, and in some cases getting dates for the first time are:
- The Calmatic-directed, LeBron James-Maverick Carter produced reboot of New Line’s House Party opening on December 9 2022 in theaters, not on HBO Max as originally planned.
- The Lee Cronin-directed Evil Dead Rise will open in theaters on April 21, 2023.
- The Nun 2 is set for September 8
- Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot is moving from April 21, 2023, to a TBD date next year.
- There is an as-of-yet untitled film slated for release on February 10, 2023.
- A Christmas Story Christmas (The sequel for the classic holiday film) will hit HBO Max November 17 with Peter Billingsley reprising his role as Ralphie. Erinn Hayes, Julianna Layne, River Drosche, RD Robb, Scott Schwartz, Zack Ward and Julie Hagerty.
- Holiday Harmony and A Christmas Mystery will both Hit HBO Max on November 24
- A Hollywood Christmas hits the streamer December 1.