Top Gun: Maverick & Mission: Impossible 7 delayed well into 2022

After living life in the Covid “Danger Zone” for as long as we have, I can’t say I’m surprised to hear that Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible 7 are getting delayed. The pushing back of both films comes not long after footage of both releases stunned audiences at this year’s CinemaCon. For now, Top Gun: Maverick is being moved to May 27, Memorial Day weekend 2022, and Mission: Impossible 7 to September 30, 2022.

If you ask me, this news comes as no surprise. The world is still in the crushing grip of the Covid-19 pandemic, and these are billion-dollar grossing films we’re talking about here. Understandably, Paramount and Skydance are going to want theaters to be packed for both releases, and that’s just not happening right now. I mean, I went to a movie theater yesterday to purchase tickets for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the place was a ghost town. We’re just not there yet, and it’s going to be a while still until theaters can expect a grand turnout.

The move means that Top Gun: Maverick is vacating the pre-Thanksgiving weekend spot of November 19 and will take over Mission: Impossible 7‘s previous spot of Memorial Day weekend next year.

The Mission: Impossible franchise has grossed over $3.57 billion worldwide over the course of six films. To put things into perspective, Mission Impossible – Fallout banked $791.7 million all by itself upon release. Obviously, Paramount will want theaters to be running like clockwork before unleashing some of its biggest guns. Or, at least as close to clockwork as fate will allow, all things considered.

Right now, it doesn’t look like cinemas are going to get a fair shake at returning to “normal” until next year. That said, advancements in fighting the Delta variant of Covid-19 are being made every day, and things could change. Still, film studios can’t keep the lights on with hopes and wishes. They need asses in seats, and the only way to make that happen is for the pandemic to come to its true end. I hope we turn a corner soon because I miss feeling safe inside theaters, and I don’t much care for worrying about everyone who coughs after choking on popcorn.

What do you make of these delays? Are you content to wait, or are you growing bored of our circumstances? Which movie are you looking forward to more? I’m a Mission: Impossible fan myself. Let us know what’s flying through your head in the comments section below.