Despite the massive amounts of TV and movie-watching about to take place around the world, the entertainment industry, like much of the world, is 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.
Netflix has paused production on all its TV shows and movies in the U.S. and Canada for at least two weeks. Warner Bros has done the same for its more than 70 shows and movies in progress or in the works. Most every other studio is following suit. Luckily there’s plenty of existing shows and movies currently available.
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. The Met opera has laid off its unionized musicians.
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.
Disney also paused production of many of its live-action films, including a version of the 1989 animated classic “The Little Mermaid,” which was set to begin filming next week in London as well “Home Alone,” “Peter Pan & Wendy,” “Shrunk,” “Cruella” and “The Last Duel.”
“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
“The Walking Dead”
The AMC drama wasn’t able to finish production on the Season 10 finale, so the 15th episode — airing April 5 — will serve as the culmination, reports TVLine. “The planned finale will appear as a special episode later in the year,” a network representative said.
“Friends”
The highly anticipated HBO Max unscripted reboot of the beloved 90s sitcom was one of the last holdouts among shows pausing production. It was supposed to begin filming at the end of March on the show’s former home at Stage 24 of the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank, California. Now, it’ll be delayed until May, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“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. It joins virtually every other Netflix-backed show or movie currently in the works, including the Henry Cavill-backed fantasy series, “The Witcher.”
“Lord of the Rings”
The highly anticipated Amazon Prime series with a $250 million budget is on pause.
“Grey’s Anatomy”
On March 29, the longtime ABC medical drama made the decision to schedule an early season finale for April 9, leaving four unaired episodes in limbo. The show had previously suspended production “out of an abundance of caution,” 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.
“General Hospital”
The ABC soap favorite will pause production beginning Monday, March 16, Deadline reports.
“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” and “Stranger Things”
Universal also has planned delays on Natasha Lyonne’s quirky Netflix drama “Russian Doll.” Mega-hit “Stranger Things” is also taking a break, as is “Lucifer.”
“Atlanta”
The beloved Donald Glover comedy joins a growing list of FX shows also hitting the pause button. Others include: “Fargo,” “Snowfall” and “Y: The Last Man.”
“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. “For All Mankind,” “Lisey’s Story” “See,” “Servant” and “Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet” are also on the list.
“The Undoing”
HBO pulled the series premiere of the Nicole Kidman thriller, originally slated for Sunday, May 10, and will reschedule it for sometime this fall, TV Line reports. The six-episode show, based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s novel “You Should Have Known,” also features Edgar Ramirez, Lily Rabe and Donald Sutherland.
“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
Like “The Walking Dead,” CBS’ “FBI” and Fox’s “The Resident” will both have shortened seasons. with the former wrapping up its second on Tuesday, March 31, and the latter ending Season 3 on April 7, reports TV Line. NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med” have all been halted, according to Deadline. The CW’s “Dynasty,” “The Flash,” “Supergirl” and “Batwoman” were also put on hold, Deadline reports. Also on CBS, “NCIS” (including “Los Angeles” and “New Orleans” spinoffs) was halted, as well as sitcom favorite “Young Sheldon,” “All Rise” and “God Friended Me.” On CBS’s All Access streaming platform, “The Good Fight” is on hold.’ And TNT’s “Claws” are also on the list.
“Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards”
The live awards, scheduled for March 22 in Los Angeles, will be postponed.
Daytime Emmys
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced on Thursday that its 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony set for June in Pasadena has been canceled.
Talk shows
After suspending production for indefinite periods, several late-night hosts have returned — or are plotting returns — with remote shows, sans audiences, from their homes.
Trevor Noah’s “The Daily Show” — renamed “The Social Distancing Show” — resumed March 23 on Comedy Central, as did “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and “hybrid episodes” of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” both on NBC. TBS’ “Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” returned with full episodes from her woodsy hideout on March 25, while CBS’s “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and TBS’ “Conan” with host Conan O’Brien will all be back on Monday, March 30.
Meanwhile, James Corden’s “The Late Late Show” will take over the 10 p.m. Monday, March 30, primetime slot on CBS for “Homefest: James Corden’s Late Late Show Special” at 8 p.m. Monday, March 30, with guests BTS, Dua Lipa, Andrea Bocelli, Billie Eilish and John Legend.
Production remains at a standstill for “Watch What Happens Live” — whose host, Andy Cohen, recently tested positive for the coronavirus — daytime talkers “The Wendy Williams Show” and “The Tamron Hall Show,” and food fest “Rachael Ray.” ABC morning show “The View” continues to broadcast audience-free with Sunny Hostin and returning former co-host Sara Haines in-studio Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan Mccain working remotely. “Live With Kelly and Ryan” also went audience-free before starting up programming from the respective Ripa and Seacrest abodes.
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.” HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver,” which aired a rerun on March 22 and a shortened episode on March 15, will return with a new episode taped from Oliver’s home on Sunday, March 29, according to Deadline, which also reports that “Real Time with Bill Maher” will return on Friday, April 3, on HBO. Maher’s guests will include LA Mayor Eric Garcetti, author Max Brooks (“World War Z”), actor Seth MacFarlane (“Family Guy”), musician Willie Nelson and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
NBC’s longtime sketch show “Saturday Night Live” also put the brakes on its production schedule, canceling the March 28 installment that was to feature host John Krasinski and musical guest Dua Lipa. Five episodes were left in the 21-episode season, according to TV Line, which adds that the network is “taking a wait-and-see approach with regard to the remaining five shows.”
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.
