In the film industry, 2020 was supposed to be the “Year of Dan.” If there was a checklist of franchises and actors I liked, 2020 was set to hit all the boxes. From Daniel Craig and Vin Diesel to Steven Spielberg and Zendaya, 2020 was oozing with star power.
Then, as we all know, the pandemic happened.
The first real “Oh shit” moment in the film industry happened when No Time To Die, the 25th installment in the James Bond franchise and Craig’s final film as the iconic character, pushed back its release date to November. Not even Nostradamus himself could have predicted the shitstorm that’s still occurring to this day.
Were you excited to watch Dominic Torretto drive off a cliff and somehow cross the ocean while attached to a steel chain? Unrealistic and kickass action sequences will have to wait since Fast Nine won’t be released until May 2021. Were you prepared to rejoin the Jets or the Sharks in West Side Story this December? Unfortunately, Christmas is canceled due to the fact Spielberg’s iteration of West Side Story was moved to Dec. 2021. If Timothée Hal Chalamet and Zendaya in the seems like a dream, then you need to keep dreaming since Dune moved from Dec. 2020 to Oct. 2021.
But wait, there’s more. The entire Marvel Cinematic Universe shifted, restructured, and besides WandaVision, punted entirely to 2021. Movies from Ridley Scott, Tom Cruise, Lin-Manuel Miranda were all delayed to 2021. Wonder Woman 1984 is holding out hope for Christmas 2020, but barring a miracle from Wonder Woman herself, it’s almost guaranteed to move. The only theatrical blockbuster that stuck around was Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, and I haven’t even seen it yet!
The only studio that’s thriving is Netflix. The streaming service has been a juggernaut, releasing new films every week including some critically acclaimed gems like Da 5 Bloods and The Trial of the Chicago 7. Unlike most studios, Netflix will have the strongest Oscar contenders with Mank, Hillbilly Elegy, and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom coming later this year. Plus, streamers like Hulu had a strong year with Normal People, Devs, and Dave, three of my favorite shows of the year.
2020 has been terrible and frankly, we all need a break. However, as Bradley cooper said in Silver Linings Playbook, “You have to do everything you can, you have to work your hardest, and if you do, if you stay positive, you have a shot at a silver lining.”
Maybe finding a silver lining is a bunch of horse shit, but one can’t look at the film slate in 2021 and not be filled with excitement. From January to December, every week will provide a high profile release. Maybe MoviePass should make a comeback in 2021 because there’s a high chance I’m at the theater four times every month. This stretch from April through the beginning of June will make it tough to pay rent.
All of these dates could still change if cities like New York City and Los Angeles keep theaters closed. However, I’m choosing to stay positive for now.
If No Time to Die moves one more time, I’m out for blood.
What 2021 movie are you looking forward to the most? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.