Seven Marvel films and Indy 5 delayed as coronavirus hits Disney schedule

The next seven entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

With cinemas worldwide having closed their doors as people stay home to combat the spread of the deadly disease, major releases from several studios have been pushed back – some by upwards of a year.

The next James Bond film, No Time To Die, was due to arrive this week but is now aiming for a November opening, while there have also been delays for throwback sequels Top Gun: Maverick and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.

Now Disney has confirmed huge changes to its upcoming slate, which includes delays for each and every Marvel film scheduled for the next few years.

Setting the changes in motion is a move for Black Widow, starring Scarlett Johanssen, which is set for 6 November rather than its original date of 1 May.

Eternals, the first big screen appearance for a group of immortal superheroes that made their comic book debut in 1976, will now release on 12 February 2021.

Then comes Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on 7 May, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse Of Madness, with Benedict Cumberbatch reprising the lead role, on 5 November.

Pushed from November 2021 to 18 February 2022 is Thor: Love and Thunder – the fourth instalment in the Thor series that will see Natalie Portman playing a female version of the character.

Sequels for Black Panther and Captain Marvel will follow on 6 May and 8 July respectively – the former of which was always slated for that date.

The knock-on effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the Marvel line-up will no doubt disappoint fans, who have been eagerly waiting to see how the franchise follows on from the record-breaking Avengers: Endgame last year.

Other new dates announced for upcoming Disney films impacted by COVID-19 include the live action remake of animated classic Mulan, which was due to be released last week but will now arrive on 24 July.

Jungle Cruise, which is based on a Disneyland ride of the same name, has been moved an entire year to July 2021, while the as-yet untitled fifth instalment in the Indiana Jones series has been pencilled in for 29 July 2022.

Harrison Ford revealed back in February that filming had been due to begin this summer, but the coronavirus pandemic has likely put paid to that prospect.