Although their release dates don't come until 2021, it's looking likely that THE BATMAN & THE MATRIX 4 will have their release dates delayed due to the productions shuttering in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
THE BATMAN, helmed by Matt Reeves, had completed nearly seven weeks of filming before being forced to shut down while THE MATRIX 4 has to deal with the production being forced to stop as well as an extensive post-production process due to the number of visual effects on the Lana Wachowski film. THE MATRIX 4, with Keanu Reeves returning as Neo, is scheduled to hit screens on May 21, 2021, and while that seems a long way off, the date becomes more and more in question the longer the production has to remain close as the world deals with this pandemic.
THE BATMAN has a release date of June 25, 2021, which gives it a little over a month in terms of advantage over THE MATRIX 4 to get things done. The film, starring Robert Pattinson as the titular character, may not have post-production that is as extensive as THE MATRIX 4 but there is still a lot to get done considering the large scope of the film. "Variety" reports there is an "outside chance" that THE BATMAN will make its date but they believe the project will likely see some kind of push back off its planned date.
These aren't the only high-profile films that were currently in production which could see their release dates shifted. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 had been shooting overseas, notably beginning to shoot in Venice, Italy right before things became very dire there, and that film is set for release on July 23, 2021. The film reportedly has an Italian setting so this has forced the Tom Cruise film to go back to the drawing board to figure out how to get things done once production starts up again. Also in question is the Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds, and Gal Gadot Netflix action film, RED NOTICE. The film had already been filming for two months in Atlanta before they went dark and while Netflix usually doesn't go for a year-long marketing campaign, the streamer's plan to have the film out by the end of the year is looking like a no-go.
It's crazy to think that film expected for release next year after being compromised by COVID-19. You really don't think about how long post-production can be on big films such as these so when shooting is forced to stop, it only pushes back the start of post-production work further and further. I rather the studios not rush the films just to get them done in time so if they have to push the dates, it will likely be better for the projects in the long run.
Do YOU think these films will still make their 2021 dates?