With movie theaters remaining closed in several key markets, Warner Bros. recently announced several of its tentpole projects are being postponed, including The Batman. As a result of the schedule shuffling, the feature film adaptation of the Minecraft video game has now lost its 2022 release date.
Officially released in November 2011 and developed by Mojang Studios, Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to mine for minerals, craft tools, and build structures within a blocky 3D world. A feature film adaption of Minecraft has been in various stages of development at Warner Bros. since 2014, with Rob McElhenney attached to helm the project at one point after Shawn Levy relinquished directorial duties. However, McElhenney dropped out of the project just as Warner Bros. enlisted writers Aaron and Adam Nee to pen a new draft of the screenplay in 2018.
The following year, the Minecraft film gained momentum when Mojang Studios and Microsoft announced the adaptation was scheduled for a theatrical release on March 4, 2022. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist director Peter Sollett signed on the helm the film and write a new screenplay, although Hidden Figures co-writer Allison Schroeder was later brought on board to tackle the script. The story is for the film said to center on a teenage girl and her group of adventurer friends as they attempt to save the blocky Overworld from the malevolent Ender Dragon. However, The Hollywood Reporter notes the Minecraft film is currently without a new release date despite being delayed following the aforementioned calendar adjustments at Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.’ release schedule was the result of the studio’s efforts to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the lack of exhibition venues due to the lockdown measures taken to curb the spread of the virus, Warner Bros. projects have faced production delays due to complications relating to the health crisis. Most notably, The Batman had to temporarily suspend filming just days after cameras started rolling again when lead star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19.
With Denis Villeneuve’s Dune now taking The Batman‘s October 2021 release date, Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman 1984 remains Warner Bros.’ sole high-profile project slated for a wide theatrical release in 2020. That is, of course, assuming the highly-anticipated DC sequel retains its Christmas Day release day, which theater chains are hoping will still be the case.
Of course, theater chains aren’t placing the blame for the struggles they are facing solely on the studios. John Fithian, head of the National Association of Theatre Owners, noted that studios have their hands tied partly due to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s decision to keep theaters in the state closed indefinitely.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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