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The Batman will now premiere in 2022, Warner Bros. confirmed on Tuesday. The delay is one of several for WB’s sci-fi and DCU tentpoles as the studio waits out production delays and theater reopenings prolonged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Batman is now slated for a March 4, 2022 launch; it had been scheduled for Oct. 1, 2021. The announcement follows Monday’s news that Warner Bros.’ Dune was moving to The Batman’s Oct. 1, 2021 intended release date, from its original Dec. 18, 2020 premiere.
They aren’t the only ones with adjusted dates. Here’s the updated rundown of Warner Bros.’ release calendar:
- Wonder Woman 1984 premieres Dec. 25, 2020. (After two COVID-related delays).
- The next Matrix film is scheduled for Dec. 22, 2021 (previously April 1, 2022).
- Dune launches Oct. 1, 2021 (previously Dec. 18, 2020).
- The Batman is March 4, 2022 (previously Oct 1. 2021).
- The Flash is due Nov. 4, 2022 (previously June 3, 2022).
- Two untitled, unannounced “event films” premiere June 3 and Aug. 5, 2022.
- Shazam 2 is moved to June 2, 2023 (previously Nov. 4, 2022).
- Black Adam doesn’t have a launch date (previously Dec. 22, 2021).
- The Minecraft adaptation is likewise postponed indefinitely (previously March 4, 2022).
As for the “event films,” those could be any of the undated DC Universe movies from WB’s long-term roadmap, or something else altogether.
The studio attributed the pushbacks to production delays related to coronavirus precautions and conditions. In early September, for example, The Batman star Robert Pattinson tested positive for COVID-19, putting a stop to filming again. It was also shut down in March, which moved the film’s release date into October.