Pandemic delays major Disney releases

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, it’s not just major festivals and theme parks shutting down. In an effort to curtail the disease, more and more folks are bunkering down to avoid possible contact.

For example, a number of major motion pictures have delayed their theatrical releases due to cinema closures in key markets.

Similarly, Disney has also moved upcoming tent poles Mulan and 20th Century/Marvel’s The New Mutants off its release schedule, with hopes that normalcy will return in time for both to open later this year.

Sony Pictures has pushed back Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway from its Easter window to August 7. Universal is also pushing back the next Fast & Furious instalment F9 to Easter weekend of next year. Originally set for May 22 (globally), the high-octane sequel will now open April 2, 2021 — the date originally reserved for Fast & Furious 10.

Spielberg won’t direct Indiana Jones 5

Famous director and producer Steven Spielberg has stepped down as the director of the fifth Indiana Jones film, while James Mangold is in talks to take over from him, sources said.

Mangold just finished the Oscar-winning Ford v Ferrari and had hits with Logan, The Wolverine and Walk the Line. He produced The Call of the Wild, starring Indiana Jones actor Harrison Ford.

Spielberg directed the four previous films, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. George Lucas produced these four too.

Lucas sold his company Lucasfilm to Disney in 2012. It is said that Ford will reprise his role as Indiana Jones while Spielberg remains the producer. Disney has set a July 2021 release date for the film.

Barbie launches new dolls to honour women sports stars

British sprint world champion Dina Asher-Smith said she was ‘proud’ to have her own Barbie as the toy brand announced a line-up of dolls to honour female sporting role models.

Asher-Smith, who won the 200 metres gold at last year’s world championships in Doha, was one of several sports stars to be recognised as role models.

French women’s football captain Amandine Henry and Ukraine’s fencing world champion Olga Kharlan also have dolls.

“I’m so proud to have my own one-of-a-kind Dina Barbie doll,” said Asher-Smith.

She added: “I hope little girls will see my doll and be inspired to take up and continue to enjoy sports.”

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 21st, 2020