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Warner Bros has delayed the release of Tenet indefinitely meaning it is now unclear when the film will be released.
The new Christopher Nolan film had originally kept its release date of 17 July, despite being unclear whether cinemas would reopen in time.
As lockdown guidelines were eased, though, it seemed that Tenet would be the first new film released in cinemas following the pandemic.
However, due to health and safety concerns, the film was pushed back by a fortnight, and then a further two weeks to 12 August.
It has now been pulled from Warner Bros’ schedule altogether, with the studio hinting that the film will be released on different days around the world before the year is out.
Toby Emmerich, chairman of the Warner Bros pictures Group, said in a statement: “Our goals throughout this process have been to ensure the highest odds of success for our films while also being ready to support our theater partners with new content as soon as they could safely reopen.”
He continued: “We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from exhibitors and remain steadfast in our commitment to the theatrical experience around the world.
“Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to proliferate, causing us to reevaluate our release dates. Amidst all this continued uncertainty, we have decided to vacate the current dates for our next two releases.”
The other release Emmerich refers to is horror sequel The Conjuring 3
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Try for free He said that the plan is to release Tenet on an unspecified date in 2020, but added: “We are not treating [the film] like a traditional global day-and-date release, and our upcoming marketing and distribution plans will reflect that.”
It is unknown what Emmerich means, but it is believed that the film could open in territories that are not as affected by coronavirus before key locations, including the US.
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How many years between sequel and original? Seven
20th Century Fox
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How many years between sequel and original? Two
New Line Cinema
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How many years between sequel and original? Seven
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
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How many years between sequel and original? Three
Warner Bros
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How many years between sequel and original? Nine
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How many years between sequel and original? Five
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How many years between sequel and original? Four
Universal Pictures
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How many years between sequel and original? Three
Warner Bros
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How many years between sequel and original? 10
United Film Distribution Company
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How many years between sequel and original? Four
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Paramount Pictures
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How many years between sequel and original? Two
Produzioni Europee Associate
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Warner Bros
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Paramount Pictures
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20th Century Fox
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Paramount Pictures
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Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
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Buena Vista Pictures
Some sources suggested to Variety Covid-19 rate is lower than others.
Nolan’s espionage thriller, Tenet , stars John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki.
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