'Dune 2' eyes grow to 2024; Warner Bros. Considering New Dates For 'Color Purple', 'Aquaman 2' (EXCLUSIVE)

The sequel to Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi epic "Dune" could be riding a sandworm all the way to 2024.

Amid two controversial labor strikes in Hollywood, Warner Bros. Film Group is strongly considering pushing the Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya tentpole back to next year from its current Nov. 3 slot, three people with knowledge of the talks have told Variety. The film is a co-production with Legendary Entertainment and the two parties need to agree on a new release date, an insider said. Legendary has yet to be approached by WB for a move, they added. Another source close to Warner Bros. said the exits were progressing as originally planned and no formal discussions had taken place, but noted that the length of the union battles was totally unpredictable.

Spokespersons for Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment declined to comment on the matter.

In addition, Warner Bros. is evaluating potential new dates for the anticipated musical "The Color Purple," which has Oprah Winfrey as producer, as well as the DC Studios sequel "Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom," sources said. The possible reshuffling of dates is the result of the strike by SAG-AFTRA unions and the Writers Guild of America, at war with show business producers over new contracts.

A film like "Dune 2" would greatly benefit from the participation of its all-star cast - which also includes Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin - and current union restrictions dictate that these actors cannot promote past or future work made and released by stricken companies.

The fact that Warners may be looking ahead indicates that the studio isn't confident the guild strike will be resolved by mid-autumn. “The Color Purple” and the sequel “Aquaman” are currently dated December 20 and December 25, respectively. A title like "Color Purple," noted one industry player, would depend on a strong awards campaign. Campaigns for the Oscars and Golden Globes could be hampered by a prolonged strike.

Warner Bros. surely isn't the only studio in town evaluating the release schedule. Major films in the same aisle as the "Dune" sequel include Disney's "The Marvels" on November 10 and Lionsgate's franchise reboot "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" on November 17.

Comments