The Fate of Aquaman 2 Hangs in the Balance Amidst Strikes - Is the Entire Marvel & DC Universe at Risk?

Summary

The strikes initiated by actors and writers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the entertainment industry. Without their active involvement, the existence of Marvel or DC movies would be jeopardized.

The extent of disruption will be determined by the length of the strikes. Aquaman 2, The Marvels, and other DC and Marvel movies might face delays if the strikes surpass mid-fall.

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, the sequel to the 2018 film Aquaman, could potentially have its release date pushed back due to strikes. Warner Bros. Discovery, along with other Hollywood studios, is currently the target of strikes led by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA. The Writers Guild of America has been on strike for 80 days, and its impact has already been felt with Marvel Studios delaying most of their upcoming projects. With the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists joining the strike, the entire Hollywood industry has come to a halt. Depending on the duration of both strikes, new releases will undoubtedly be affected.

Per Variety, Warner Bros., the studio behind Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, is currently evaluating potential new release dates for the highly anticipated DC movie sequel, originally slated to debut on Dec. 20. This report comes in light of the news that both Dune 2 and The Color Purple might face delays, with the former potentially being moved to 2024 from its initially planned November release. Consequently, speculations from Variety suggest that Marvel Studios' The Marvels, also scheduled for a November release, might be subject to a delay as well. If The Marvels is indeed pushed back, it is likely that the entire slate of upcoming films from the studio will follow suit.

How The Actor And Writer Strikes Will Affect Marvel & DC Movie Release Dates

The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes play a vital role in the sustainability of the entire Hollywood industry. Through their strike actions, actors and writers are advocating for equitable compensation and other crucial provisions that would enable union members to sustain themselves while contributing to Hollywood productions. The absence of actors and writers would result in the absence of Marvel and DC movies, making it imperative for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the body responsible for negotiating on behalf of the studios, to engage in meaningful discussions and establish new, equitable contracts for the unions.

The objective of a strike is to cause disruption, and its duration determines the extent of that disruption. If the strikes continue beyond mid-fall, when negotiations were expected to resume, it is highly probable that Warner Bros. and Disney, the parent company of Marvel Studios, will need to postpone certain movies and TV shows. While the delay of Aquaman 2, the final film in the DCEU series, may not have a ripple effect like The Marvels potentially shifting, other DC movies such as Joker: Folie à Deux may also be pushed back depending on the length of the strikes.

Regarding the Marvel Cinematic Universe films from Marvel Studios, Disney has already made an effort to space out their releases. Therefore, if The Marvels is delayed, it is likely that all other movies will be pushed back instead of attempting to release four films in one year. Following The Marvels, Deadpool 3, Captain America: Brave New World, Thunderbolts, Blade, Fantastic Four, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and Avengers: Secret Wars all have set release dates but may be subject to change. However, it remains uncertain whether WBD and Disney will actually decide to postpone their late 2023 movies. As of now, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still scheduled to be released in December.

Source: Variety