Despite the massive amounts of TV and movie-watching about to take place around the world, the entertainment industry, like much of the world, appears to be grinding to a halt.
Restrictions on travel and public gatherings has halted the premieres of some of the season’s most anticipated blockbusters. Production on television series, too, has seen varying degrees of disruption — from live shows banning audiences to whole seasons put on hold with sick crew members.
And it’s not just the small screen and the silver screen — Broadway, too, is going dark. Music and film festivals around the world are either postponing or canceling dates altogether. Museums are closing their doors. If it’s anything worth attracting a crowd or an audience, chances are, it’s not happening anytime soon.
Here are the TV and movie delays and postponements due to the coronavirus. We’ll be updating this list as more information comes out.
Film
“Fast and Furious F9”
The ninth installment of the film franchise was scheduled to drop May 22, but Universal Pictures said Thursday the film is being delayed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The release date for the movie — starring Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez and Tyrese Gibson — will now be April 2, 2021, in North America.
“While we know there is disappointment in having to wait a little while longer, this move is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration,” the movie’s official Twitter page posted. “Moving will allow our global family to experience our new chapter together.”
“A Quiet Place Part II”
John Krasinski and Emily Blunt’s thriller “A Quiet Place Part II” was slated to roll out internationally Wednesday, with a North American release set for Friday. The new release date has not been announced.
Krasinski addressed the delay in an Instagram message to fans: “One of the things I’m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see all together. Well due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time to do that. As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie … I’m gonna wait to release the film till we CAN all see it together! So here’s to our group movie date! See you soon!”
“Mulan”
The live action “Mulan” release date was scheduled for March 27, but on Thursday, Disney said it would be moving the release, along with 20th Century Studios and Marvel’s “New Mutants,” which was scheduled to come out April 3, and Searchlight’s horror “Antlers,” previously slated for April 17.
Disney tells Deadline that it’s not sure when “Mulan” will open. The movie stars Chinese-American actress Liu Yifei, Gong Li, Jet Li and Donnie Yen. Check back for updates on the film’s release.
“Black Widow”
Disney and Marvel’s “Black Widow” is still on for May 1, but the Scarlett Johansson-fronted action flick may soon go the way of “F9,” which also had planned to stay on schedule. Check back for updates.
“No Time To Die”
The James Bond installment will move from its original launch of April 2 to Nov. 25. The official premiere of the film, which was the final one for 52-year-old Daniel Craig, was set for March 31 at the Royal Albert Hall, with a US release date of April 10. But 007 fan sites urged the filmmakers to delay the opening.
“It is by no means easy to say this: The release of ‘No Time To Die’ should be postponed,” the open letter to EON, MGM and Universal reads. “It is time to put public health above marketing release schedules and the cost of cancelling publicity events . . . It’s just a movie.”
“Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway”
Sony rescheduled the release of “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” — the family-friendly sequel featuring the voice of James Corden, alongside Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson and David Oyelowo — to Aug. 7.
Television
“Grace and Frankie”
The Netflix comedy starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin — said Thursday it was suspending production on its seventh and final season, reports Deadline.
“Grey’s Anatomy”
The longtime ABC medical drama also made the decision Thursday to suspend production “out of an abundance of caution … effective immediately,” according to TV Line. “We are going home now for at least two weeks and waiting to see how the coronavirus situation evolves,” according to a statement from “Grey’s” executive producers Krista Vernoff and Debbie Allen and line producer James Williams.
“Riverdale”
The CW said Thursday that it shut down production in Vancouver for the fourth season of teen drama “Riverdale.” The show, already renewed for Season 5, ordered the shutdown after a crew member reportedly came into contact with someone diagnosed with the coronavirus.
“We are working closely with the appropriate authorities and health agencies in Vancouver to identify and contact all individuals who may have come into direct contact with our team member,” Warner Bros. Television told The Post. “The health and safety of our employees, casts and crews is always our top priority.”
“Russian Doll”
Universal also has planned delays on Natasha Lyonne’s quirky Netflix drama “Russian Doll.”
“Rutherford Falls” and “Angelyne”
Delays are set for the Mike Schur comedy “Rutherford Falls,” which will star Ed Helms and eventually find a home on NBCUniversal’s upcoming Peacock streaming service. Also delayed for the streaming service is “Angelyne,” a limited series about an LA billboard icon.
“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”
The Disney+ series, with Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan, shut down production that started in Prague this month.
“Carnival Row”
The Amazon Prime noir-ish fantasy series was also put on hold. Its lead actor, Orlando Bloom, 43, is in quarantine after filming in the Czech Republic, he told fans Friday.
“The Morning Show”
Season 2 of the Apple+ drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, was placed on hiatus. The network is facing a production delay for its upcoming show “Foundation” and Season 2 of Universal Television’s “Little America,” too.
“Survivor,” “The Amazing Race” and “American Ninja Warrior”
Reality television is facing its own new reality. CBS’s “Survivor,” with host Jeff Probst, is postponing filming of Season 41 of that series, which was set to commence in Fiji on March 24, but will instead begin May 19. CBS additionally put the brakes on Season 33 of the popular globe-trotting series “The Amazing Race.” NBC has also delayed filming of “American Ninja Warrior.”
“The Bachelorette”
It’s also no bed of roses for the ABC dating show. The 16th season, featuring “Bachelor” alum Clare Crawley, will find a new stateside location after jettisoning Italy as a possibility, since the country has effectively shut down.
“Jeopardy!,” “The Price is Right,” “Wheel of Fortune” and “Card Sharks”
And the game’s over, for now, on the LA sets of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” which both ditched live audiences this week. CBS’s “The Price is Right” has followed suit. The start of production for “Card Sharks” on ABC is also postponed.
Other broadcast favorites
NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med” have all been halted, according to Deadline. The CW’s “Dynasty” was also put on hold. From CBS, “FBI” and “NCIS” (including “Los Angeles” and “New Orleans” spinoffs) were halted as well. On CBS’s All Access streaming platform, “The Good Fight” is on hold.
“Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards”
The live awards, scheduled for March 22 in Los Angeles, will be postponed.
Talk shows
In New York, CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” followed close behind NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” plus daytime talker “The Wendy Williams Show,” in announcing Thursday that they were ending production on their shows for now. Other talk show hosts are getting the silent treatment and ditching studio audiences, including Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live,” food fest “Rachael Ray,” Trevor Noah’s “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central and TBS’s “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee.” The “Tamron Hall Show” also joined ABC morning shows “The View” and “Live With Kelly and Ryan” in going audience-free, as are NBC’s “Today” show and the second hour of “Good Morning America” on ABC.
Weekend programming is also impacted: Fox News Channel said Thursday that it is going audience-free for Saturday’s late-night comedy series “The Greg Gutfeld Show,” and, starting Sunday, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” will serve up laughs without an audience.
The Post also reached out to NBC about the status of longtime sketch show “Saturday Night Live,” which is on a regularly-scheduled hiatus this week but is set to return March 28 with host John Krasinski and musical guest Dua Lipa. A spokesperson said the show is monitoring the situation in conjunction with city health officials and will make a decision closer to the start of production, which would normally begin Monday.
In LA, audience tix have been nixed for “Dr. Phil” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and starting Monday, “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” “The Late Late Show With James Corden” and CBS’s daytime chatfest “The Talk” will all tape in studios filled with empty chairs.
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