Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Shazam! Fury of the Gods release dates have been delayed. As per a Deadline report, Warner Bros. is making a number of release date changes, with the Jason Momoa-led Aquaman 2 shifting to December 25, 2023. The film was previously set for March 17, 2023, after having been delayed from December 21, 2022. To fill that March 17 gap, David F. Sandberg's Shazam! Fury of the Gods will be pushed back from its December 21 date. The Zachary Levi-led sequel faced several delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, moving from April 1, 2022, to November, and then a December release.
Aquaman film was also released during December, and went on to gross $1.148 billion (about Rs. 9,164 crore) at the global box office.
John Wick: Chapter 4.
The release date changes come in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery Marvel Cinematic Universe. The company has announced a “reset” for the DC Extended Universe, with a dedicated team laying out long-term plans focused on quality over quantity.
The COVID-19 is not a major issue. Two titles that were originally slated for an HBO Max release will now be opening on the big screen. First is the Calmtic-directed reboot of the 1990 comedy film House Party, dropping December 9. Then there's Lee Cronin's supernatural zombie flick, Evil Dead Rise, coming April 21, 2023.
As part of this theatre-focused strategy, Warner Bros. Discovery also recently HBO Max release.
According to Variety, the decision not to release these on the streaming platform is part of a “larger trend” Warner Bros. Discovery sees from kids and family content. That said, production on said animated projects will continue, with plans to shop them to platforms besides HBO Max.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods will now release March 17, 2023, with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom following it on December 25, 2023. They are two of four DCEU titles currently slated for 2023, alongside Cobra Kai).