"Dune’s” Delay Signals Weak End to 2023’s Film Season
A poster of Dune part 1 that came out in October of 2021. Credit: yintinma via Flickr
After the actors’ and writers’ strikes and the wave of bombs throughout this year’s movie summer season, another new hurdle has been thrown in the way: major delays for some of this year’s most anticipated films. At the forefront of these setbacks is “Dune Part Two,” the follow-up to the critical and audience sensation of 2021’s “Dune.”
Led by one of the most distinguished directors currently, Denis Villeneuve, and a cast of revered actors, including Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Josh Brolin, “Dune” earned $402 million at the box office and swept award shows. This included the Academy Awards, where it won six Oscars, the most of 2022. From its powerful sound, gorgeous cinematography, and rich atmosphere, “Dune” left an impact on filmgoers and has solidified itself as one of the best science fiction films of the 21st century.
For these reasons, “Dune Part Two” was one of the most anticipated films this year. Initially slated for a release date of Nov. 3, it has now been moved to Mar. 15, 2024. The reason for the delay is rooted in the actor’s strike since it prevents press circuits for studios who have not agreed to SAG-AFTRA’s demands, which includes Warner Bros.
The film’s delay was expected online by fans, but many believed it would still come out due to its locked six-week extended run in IMAX. “Dune Part Two” was expected to be a financial hit due to its beloved predecessor and the lack of competition in these six weeks with other major releases.
This year’s film season appears to have a dwindling ending to an overall great year, as the peak box office insanity of both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” is being followed up by a middling fourth quarter. However, “Dune Part Two” isn’t the only film that has been delayed this year.
“Challengers,” directed by Luca Guadagnino and also starring Zendaya, has been pushed back to April 24. Also, Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” starring Emma Stone and Mark Ruffalo -- straight after a critical appraisal at the Venice Film Festival -- has been pushed back to release on Dec. 8.
Large studios are still deciding on delaying films, with Warner Bros. possibly choosing to push back its “The Color Purple” remake and “Aquaman: The Lost Kingdom” -- a film that has been stuck in limbo for months. Lastly, some films have been put entirely out of the radar of release. The biggest of these is “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse,” the end of the Spider-Verse trilogy, which is currently indefinitely delayed. Numerous pre- and post-production films have been put on hold, ranging from franchises such as “Deadpool,” “Batman,” “Avatar,” “Gladiator” and “Star Wars.”
We don’t know the countless other films outside of the franchise world, both original and independent, that are being canned or delayed during this process. As long as the studios refuse to meet the strike’s demands, the likelihood of delays might be a continuing trend in the film industry.