‘Dune: Part Two’ Launch Deferred to 2024 Amid Continuing Actors Strike

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Warner Bros. validated on Thursday the delay of “Dune: Part Two,” one of the most eagerly awaited films of the season, from its original November release date to the following year.

Previously scheduled for release on Nov. 3, Denis Villeneuve’s sequel to the science-fiction saga will now make its appearance in cinemas on March 15 of the subsequent year. As the actors strike persists into its second month, speculation arose that “Dune: Part Two” was contemplating a change in schedule. This was further evidenced by Variety’s report earlier in the month, which stated that Warner Bros. was considering this postponement.

The decision was made by Warner Bros. to hold off on the release until the illustrious cast can actively take part in promoting the next installment of the 2021 Oscar-winning “Dune.” The cast for “Part Two” includes renowned names such as Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Javier Bardem, Stellan Skarsgård, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, and Léa Seydoux.

One of the largest 2023 film projects, “Dune: Part Two” has seen its launch deferred due to the ongoing strikes involving actors and screenwriters. In contrast, recent releases have proceeded as planned, even without the presence of their stars on red carpets or featured in magazines. SAG-AFTRA has formally requested its members to abstain from promoting studio films throughout the work halt.

Other related entertainment news includes the tributes to the late World Wrestling Entertainment star Bray Wyatt, who passed away at 36, and a posthumous star for Andy Kaufman on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the same context, the release of “Dune: Part Two” has been delayed until 2024 as the actors strike continues (Aug. 25).

Films such as Luca Guadagnino’s “Challengers,” featuring Zendaya, were also impacted, having withdrawn from the Venice Film Festival’s opening night and delaying its premiere to April. Sony made similar adjustments, moving its upcoming “Ghostbusters” film to next year and pulling the early 2024 release of “Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse” from its roster.

In conjunction with the delay of “Dune,” Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures have rescheduled “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” by a month to April 12. As a result, Warner Bros.’ “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” will abandon that April slot and shift to December 2024.

It’s worth noting that Warner Bros. has opted to maintain the existing release dates for other 2023 productions, including “Wonka” (Dec. 15), “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (Dec. 20), and “The Color Purple” (Dec. 25).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Dune: Part Two release delay

More about Dune: Part Two release delay

• Warner Bros. Official Statement on “Dune: Part Two” Delay
• Variety’s Report on the Rumored Postponement
• SAG-AFTRA’s Official Guidelines During Work Stoppage
• 2023 Release Schedule for Warner Bros.