In a sign that the combined actors and writers’ strike is beginning to bite, Hollywood studios are considering delaying the release of their most high-profile films to ensure that their stars will be in a position to promote them.
According to Variety, Warner Bros is seeking to push the release of sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two to next year, from its planned release date in early November. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, as well as Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler and Florence Pugh, it would have expected to considerably benefit from media and in-person appearances by its main performers, but union rules mean that actors are not allowed to perform publicity duties on Sag-Aftra-registered productions. It appears that studios are gambling on the fact the strike will have been resolved by next year, allowing marketing efforts to remain unimpeded.
A change in release date is also likely to affect its participation in film festivals; Dune premiered at the Venice film festival, at the start of autumn and Part Two is likely to have aimed for something similar – but the absence of actors would make it less attractive, as well as the lack of proximity to a theatrical release.
However, it appears that no formal discussions have yet taken place between Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment, its fellow producers on the Dune films, who would have to agree on a new release date.
Warner Bros is also reportedly examining the possibility of moving two of its major December releases: the adaptation of Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, which would expect its actors to be involved in a strong awards push, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.
Publicity work on films such as Barbie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Oppenheimer had largely been completed before the actors’ strike was called, though the time of Oppenheimer’s London premiere was brought forward to allow the main cast to participate, before leaving the event before it had finished.
• This article was amended on 21 July 2023. It was Alice Walker and not Toni Morrison who wrote The Color Purple.
