The future always in motion, it is. The wise words of Yoda must be echoing off the halls of the Disney Studios in Burbank as they’ve just re-ordered the release dates for a number of films. We’re also getting our first word of when to expect future films in the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series, plus the sequel to Frozen.
We know that Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Men Tell no Tales will drop May 26, 2017 (as Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy open at Animal Kingdom and California Adventure respectively) with a premiere in Shanghai Disneyland coming first. Pixar’s Cars 3 will open June 16, 2017. Thor: Ragnarok will land November 3, 2017, then Pixar’s Coco comes on November 22, 2017. The year will be capped by Star Wars: The Last Jedi on December 15, 2017.
Here are some of the films that switched dates or got confirmed:
A Wrinkle in Time – March 9, 2018. This very anticipated movie helmed by Ava Duvernay has been moved up the schedule a few weeks. Hopefully some better timing to capture some early sprink break viewing.
Magic Camp – April 6, 2018. A comedy directed by Mark Waters and written by Steve Martin, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand. Jeffrey Tambor has been attached.
Untitled Han Solo Star Wars Story – May 25, 2018. We’re not sure this film is still slated for this exact date, but we’re sure it’s in production. We’ll keep our ears to the ground.
Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-it Ralph 2. November 21, 2018. Ralph is experiencing a bit of slow down and has been pushed back 6 months. Walt Disney Animation Studios is producing this one.
Star Wars Episode IX – May 24, 2019. Lucasfilm and Disney have moved off the Christmas date with the third film in the third trilogy of the Skywalker saga. Colin Trevorrow is directing.
The Lion King – July 19, 2019. Jon Favreau managed to turn a jungle full of talking CGI animals and one human into one of the best films of the year. He’ll try to do it again minus the one human with remake of the 1994 animated classic.
Frozen 2 – November 27, 2019. The highly anticipated sequel to the mega-blockbuster film featuring sisters Anna & Elsa, a whole bunch of snow, and a legion of kids who wouldn’t stop singing “Let it Go.” This release date is exactly six years after the original.
Indiana Jones V – July 10, 2020. Steven Spielberg will return to direct Harrison Ford in the fifth chapter of the erstwhile archeologist professor. Fans are looking for some redemption afer Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and Ford will be 75 or 76 years old by the time filming starts.
Gigantic – November 25, 2020. This is the biggest suprise. Another film from Walt Disney Animation Studios, but it’s been pushed back two years. That’s usually a sign of significant reworking. There’s also a rumor that a Spain pavilion at EPCOT is coming with a ride based on Gigantic, so there’s probably a lot of pressure to get it right.
There are more changes including various Marvel and Pixar films and a weird one with an untitled Disney fairy tale still scheduled for this July.
Lots of Disney release date changes, incl. Star Wars 9 on 5/24/19, Frozen 2 on 11/27/19, and live-action Lion King on 7/19/19. pic.twitter.com/Uu4c7xskXS
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) April 25, 2017
And here’s the full Disney movie slate through 2021.
2017
May 5: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 (3D)
May 26: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (3D)
June 16: Cars 3 (3D)
Nov. 3: Thor: Ragnarok (3D)
Nov. 22: Coco (3D)
Dec. 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi (3D)
2018
Feb. 16: Black Panther (3D)
March 9: A Wrinkle in Time (3D)
April 6: Magic Camp
May 4: Avengers: Infinity War (3D)
May 25: Untitled Han Solo Star Wars Anthology Film (3D)
June 15: The Incredibles 2 (3D)
July 6: Ant-Man and the Wasp (3D)
Aug. 3: Untitled Disney Fairy Tale (Live Action)
Nov. 2: Mulan (Live Action) (3D)
Nov. 21: Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2 (3D)
Dec. 25: Mary Poppins Returns
2019
March 8: Captain Marvel (3D)
March 29: Untitled Disney Fairy Tale (Live Action)
April 12: Untitled Disneytoon Studios
May 3: Untitled Avengers (3D)
May 24: Star Wars: Episode IX (3D)
June 21: Toy Story 4 (3D)
July 19: The Lion King (Live Action) (3D)
Aug. 9: Untitled Disney Live Action
Nov. 8: Untitled Disney Fairy Tale (Live Action)
Nov. 27: Frozen 2 (3D)
Dec. 20: Untitled Disney Fairy Tale (Live Action)
2020
March 13: Untitled Pixar Animation (3D)
April 3: Untitled Disney Live Action
May 1: Untitled Marvel (3D)
June 19: Untitled Pixar Animation (3D)
July 10: Untitled Indiana Jones
Aug. 7: Untitled Marvel (3D)
Nov. 6: Untitled Marvel (3D)
Nov. 25: Gigantic (3D)
2021
March 12: Untitled Disney Live Action
June 18: Untitled Pixar Animation (3D)
Nov. 24: Untitled Disney Animation (3D)
Okay. That’s a long list of ‘untitled’ films. But Disney is the 800lb rat in Hollywood these days. It wants to claim those dates early to scare off the other rodents.
Just one original animated story between Pixar and Disney for two years, Coco, but I’ll admit I’m pretty excited for Cars 3 and The Incredibles 2. What movies on the very busy Disney release slate are you most looking forward to?
Moving Star Wars Episode IX to 2019 accomplishes two things — it allows them more time to complete the film, and it will also potentially tie into the opening of Star Wars Land(s), which seem to be aiming for a mid-2019 opening. If not both lands, then possibly one (probably Disneyland) could open around that date.
Definitely most excited for one of the untitled movies. Just not sure which one. ?
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