All 'Avatar' Sequels Pushed Back, Disney Takes 'Mulan' Off Its Calendar

Disney has made the tough decision to remove the highly-anticipated movie “Mulan” from its calendar due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In a press release obtained by the Hollywood Reporter, the production giant said that it is highly impossible to release a big film like “Mulan” during the global health crisis. Disney further revealed that it is “pausing” the release plans for the upcoming movie and is in the process to make a strategy on how the film should be shown to the public.

“Over the last few months, it’s become clear that nothing can be set in stone when it comes to how we release films during this global health crisis, and today that means pausing our release plans for 'Mulan' as we assess how we can most effectively bring this film to audiences around the world,” THR quoted Disney’s spokesperson, as saying.

This is the first time that Disney has completely taken “Mulan” off its calendar. In March 2020, the movie was postponed due to the same reason and the makers came out with a new release date. Helmed by Niki Caro, the movie was scheduled to hit the theaters on July 24.

Apart from “Mulan,” the production company also pushed back all the “Avatar” sequels and the upcoming “Star Wars” movies.

The sequels to James Cameron’s epic adventure “Avatar” had to face the brunt of the pandemic and forced Disney to delay the release dates by almost one year. Based on the rescheduled dates, “Avatar 2,” which was originally going to hit the screens on Dec. 17, 2021, will now be releasing on Dec. 16, 2022.

“Avatar 3” will make its way to the cinema halls on Dec. 24, 2024. “Avatar 4” is moving from Dec. 19, 2025 to Dec. 18, 2026 while “Avatar 5” is coming out on Dec. 22, 2028 from Dec. 17, 2027.

The “Titanic” helmer shared his disappointment on social media. He released a statement saying that there is no other person more “disappointed” about the delay than him. He also expressed gratitude toward Disney studios for backing up his visions for the sequels.

“What most of you likely don't know is that the pandemic is still preventing us from being allowed to recommence most of our virtual production work on stage in Los Angeles. That work is just as critical to the films as the live-action work. There is no one more disappointed about this delay than me,” Cameron wrote.

On the other hand, all the upcoming “Star Wars” movies have also been rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are the changes made by Disney to its calendar:

“Mulan” – Taken off the calendar, no new release date

“Star Wars Untitled Film 1” – Dec. 22, 2023

“StarWars Untitled Film 2” – Dec. 19, 2025

“Star Wars Untitled Film 3” – Dec. 17, 2027

“The Personal History Of David Copperfield” – Aug. 28, 2020

“Antlers” – Feb. 19, 2021

“Death On The Nile” – Oct. 23, 2020