‘The New Mutants’ Lands New August 2020 Release Date

It has been two long years. The world has been waiting for the much-anticipated The New Mutants film too long. But, now, after two years and three release date pushbacks, four considering the latest setback due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Disney has given the film new hope. On Wednesday, the studio announced that Josh Boone’s horror-tinged X-men spin-off will be hitting theatres on August 28 this year.

The New Mutants was originally conceived at 20th Century Fox as part of the studio’s X-men Universe. Based on the comic book series, it is described as a horror-thriller set in an isolated hospital where a group of young mutants is being held for psychiatric monitoring. It stars Maisie Williams, Charlie Heaton, Anya Taylor-Joy, Henry Zaga, and Blu Hunt.

Fox began plans for the film early on in 2015. Then, it went on to production in 2016. The film wrapped filming way in September of 2017 and was slated for an April 13, 2018 release. But, that’s where the trouble began. The New Mutants was first pushed back to February 22, 2019, in an effort to avoid going up against Deadpool 2 which was scheduled for release on May 18, 2018. Months later, the film’s release was held back again and shifted to August 2, 2019, as part of Fox’s larger reshuffling of their schedule. According to The Hollywood Reporter, there were insiders suggesting that reshoots may occur. However, the film lay untouched. Later on, Disney pushed through with the acquisition of Fox and its film properties. This again caused a reshuffling in schedules. And in January 2020, a trailer was released announcing that The New Mutants would finally arrive onscreen on April 3.

As it is though, the date was once again upended by the growing threat of the Coronavirus which has forced movie theatres to shut down all over the country. Disney was also forced to wipe its entire spring slate of the calendar. Since then, speculations have been going around that Disney might debut The New Mutants on its Disney+ streaming service instead. Disney has already shifted some of its theatrical releases like Artemis Fowl and Hamilton to the streaming service. But, it seems that the studio is determined for a theatrical release for the film.

Now, cinemas in less affected areas like Texas and Georgia are slowly starting to reopen. However, it remains uncertain if movie theatres will be fully operational in areas like Manhattan and Los Angeles by the time of The New Mutants release. If major moviegoing markets remain closed, Disney might continue reshuffling schedules. On the other hand, The New Mutants might be one of the first films to hit theatres and become one of the year’s biggest summer hits.

In addition to The New Mutants, Disney has also moved other projects back. This includes the animated film from 20th Century Fox Ron’s Gone Wrong which has been moved from Feb. 26, 2021, to April 23, 2021. Other much-anticipated films include Mulan (now set for July 24), Black Widow (Nov. 6), The Eternals (Feb. 12, 2021), and Pixar’s Soul (Nov. 20).