As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, Hollywood is being hit hard. Movie releases are getting postponed and productions on TV shows have been delayed.
The Coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak has already done so much damage. There have been more than 100,000 infections reported worldwide with a death toll well over 4,000. Everything from schools, daily workflow, travel, sports engagements have been hit with the effects of the virus. Now, Hollywood is feeling it, too. And it’s not just projects that are being halted — some of our favorite stars have been diagnosed with the virus. Stars like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have tested positive for the Coronavirus. The Oscar winning actor took to his own Twitter account on March 11 to share the devastating news with his followers. Subsequently, production on Tom’s latest project, an untitled Elvis Presley project, is being halted as he is in quarantine. But Tom isn’t the only one under the effects.
More projects for the big and small screen are feeling the pressure to move release dates or halt production due to serious health concerns. On March 12, John Krasinski took to his own Twitter account to share with fans that his film, A Quiet Place Part II, would also be delayed. More movies and TV shows like Riverdale, Fast & Furious 9, and The Morning Show have each been hit with the unfortunate news that they, too, would have to make adjustments due to the global pandemic. Here is each project affected so far.
Friends reunion special — The long awaited reunion between the six original cast members is on hold. Our sister site Variety reports on March 18 that it has “confirmed with sources that filming of the special has been delayed. It was due to film within the next week but it has now been pushed to May at the earliest.” The reunion special was set to air in May with the debut HBO Max, where all 10 seasons of Friends will now be found.
Riverdale (TV) — Riverdale was in the process of shooting season four in Vancouver, Canada, when it was reported that one of the crew members came in contact with someone who had tested positive for the virus. As a result, the production company, Warner Bros., decided to completely halt production on the series fourth installment.
The Morning Show (TV) — Apple’s award-nominated series is on a two-week hiatus due to concerns of the spreading Coronavirus. Although no one in the cast or crew have exhibited signs of the disease, they are taking precautions to ensure the health of their team.
Survivor (TV) — Filming for season 41 of Survivor was set for the end of March in Fiji. CBS, however, has made the decision to halt production given travel constraints and the unpredictable spread of the virus.
The Amazing Race (TV) — Season 33 of the reality competition series has come to a halt, as well. Although no one involved with the show has been directly impacted, CBS is maintaining the move as a precaution.
Fast & Furious 9 (Film) — The ninth movie in the Fast & Furious franchise has been pushed all the way back to a 2021 release date as a result of the Coronavirus. Not only would the release affect box office, it would also put audiences, cast, and crew in danger traveling for premieres abroad and going into crowded theaters.
Top Gun: Maverick (Film) — Paramount Studios confirmed that the highly anticipated sequel starring Tom Cruise would be pushed from July 2019 to June 26, 2020. The film marked the first time Tom would be reprising the role of Pete Mitchell, which put him on the Hollywood map way back in 1986.
A Quiet Place Part II (Film) — Star and screenwriter John Krasinski took to Twitter with a message for fans: “due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time…I’m gonna wait to release the film til we CAN all see it together.” A specific release date has yet to be announced.
No Time To Die (Film) — Daniel Craig‘s final showing as James Bond has been pushed until November 2020 instead of it’s March 4 release date.
Peter Rabbit 2 (Film) — The late March/ early April release date for the sequel of the James Corden-led film has been pushed to August worldwide.
Mulan (Film) — Disney’s live-action reboot of one of its most popular films was supposed to be released in theaters on March 27, but it’s now been postponed.
Grey’s Anatomy (TV) — On March 12, the executive producers of Grey’s Anatomy sent this email to its cast and crew: “Out of an abundance of caution, production is postponed on Grey’s Anatomy effective immediately. We are going home now for at least two weeks and waiting to see how the coronavirus situation evolves. This decision was made to ensure the health and safety of the whole cast and crew and the safety of our loved ones outside of work, and it was made in accordance with Mayor Garcetti’s suggestion that we not gather in groups of more than 50. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay hydrated, stay home as much as possible, and wash your hands frequently. Please take care of yourselves and each other. As updates come in, we will keep you informed. Thank you for all that you do! Krista, Debbie, & James.”
CBS TV Studios shows including Young Sheldon, the NCIS franchise, Bull, Dynasty, and The Good Fight (TV) — A joint statement was released on March 13 by CBS, Paramount Television Studios, and Showtime: “Over the past few days, we began making decisions to temporarily postpone production on some of our pilots and current series. At this time, we are evaluating situations on a case-by-case basis, informed by the best information from health experts and government officials. Some productions may continue as long as they do not involve live audiences and/or environments that are considered at risk. The safety and welfare of our production team is our top priority.”
NBCUniversal shows including America’s Got Talent, FBI, Law & Order: SVU, the One Chicago franchise, New Amsterdam, and The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV) — A statement was released on March 13: “The safety and health of our cast, crew, and employees is our top priority. Where possible, we are pausing production for two weeks as a precautionary measure, following which we will reassess and determine an appropriate start date. In some cases, we are accelerating plans to wrap up physical production.”
Disney movies including The Little Mermaid, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, Home Alone, The Last Duel, Nightmare Alley, Peter Pan & Wendy, and Shrunk (Film) — Disney released a statement on March 13: “While there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on our productions, after considering the current environment and the best interests of our cast and crew, we have made the decision to pause production on some of our live-action films for a short time. We will continue to assess the situation and restart as soon as feasible.”
Netflix productions including Stranger Things, Lucifer, and Grace and Frankie (TV and Film) — Netflix will halt production on all projects for the time being. Skydance Television, which produces Grace and Frankie, says they have ceased shooting the show’s last season “to ensure the safety of our cast and crew.”
The Bachelorette (TV) — Warner Bros., which produces the Bachelor franchise, announced that production of the reality show’s 2020 season is delayed. They did not provide further information.
Mission Impossible: 7 (Film) — The seventh installment of the Tom Cruise franchise was scheduled to shoot for three weeks in Venice, Italy. Considering that the entire country is quarantined after 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, Paramount Pictures has delayed production.
Family Feud (TV) — Fremantle, the company that produces the longtime gameshow, said in a statement, ““Due to the ongoing global situation around COVID-19, we have been working closely with our production teams and network partners to take measures to help minimize the risk of exposure to our cast, crew and live audiences.”
Carnival Row (TV) — Production has been halted on season 2 of Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne‘s Amazon series, which was filming in Budapest, Hungary. Orlando said in an Instagram story that he was being sent home to the United States due to coronavirus precautions.
The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV) — Kelly herself took to social media to confirm that her talk show is on pause. “As you may know, production on The Kelly Clarkson Show was temporarily shut down late last night and out of concern and care for everyone’s safety,” she shared on social media.
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (TV) — The CBS talk show has gone on hiatus, with Stephen issuing a statement reading Late Show has “postponed production on the three original episodes scheduled for next week, which lead into a previously scheduled hiatus. We will continue to monitor the situation closely with plans to return on Monday, March 30.”
The Wendy Williams Show (TV) — After filming two episodes without an audience, Wendy has been suspended “indefinitely,” and will air repeats.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV) — Both NBC talk shows are suspending production through at least the week of March 23. Like Wendy, they had planned to shoot episodes without an audience before changing course.
The Daily Show With Trevor Noah (TV) — “Our top priority is the safety of our guests and staff. Beginning Monday, March 16th, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show will temporarily suspend production as a precautionary measure. We will continue to closely monitor the situation per guidance issued by the CDC and public health authorities and hope to return Monday, March 30th,” a statement from the network read.
Lights Out With David Spade (TV) — Comedy Central has confirmed that production has been suspended on David Spade’s late night series, with plans to return on Monday, Mar. 30.
Jimmy Kimmel Live (TV) — “Jimmy Kimmel Live has determined it is in the best interest of the staff and crew to suspend production on the show beginning Monday, March 16. We will continue to monitor this and hope to be back on the air with new shows Monday, March 30,” read a statement from ABC Entertainment.
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (TV) — A shortened episode will air on Sunday, Mar. 15 and the show will then go on a “temporary hiatus, due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic,” a statement from HBO read.
Real Time With Bill Maher (TV) — A standard-length episode will air on Friday, Mar. 13 @ 10 p.m. ET/PT and the series will be on a hiatus as of Monday, Mar. 16.
General Hospital (TV) — “General Hospital will suspend production beginning Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10. We don’t anticipate an interruption in the broadcast of original episodes.”
Academy of Country Music Awards (TV) — The live broadcast was scheduled to air on Sunday, April 5 but has been postponed.
Saturday Night Live (TV) — The iconic NBC comedy, which films in front of a live studio audience, is postponing its next three shows, according to our sister site, Variety. The next episode was scheduled for March 28 with John Krasinski and Dua Lipa; the other hosts/musical guests had not yet been announced.
Black Widow (Film) — Scarlett Johansson’s standalone Marvel film was expected to be released on May 1. The movie has been postponed and a new release date has not been revealed.
2020 Daytime Emmy Awards — This show wasn’t going to be televised, but the 47th edition of the annual awards show has been officially cancelled. “There are just too many unknowns right now, not the least of which is whether we would actually be permitted to stage an event in June involving more than one thousand live participants,” National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences chairman Terry O’Reilly said on March 19 in a letter to NATAS members. “With deadlines to make significant financial commitments upon us, it seems irresponsible to move forward as we have in the past.”
The Walking Dead (TV) — On March 24, AMC revealed that the Season 10 finale would be postponed due to the coronavirus.
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TV) — Starting March 25, Samantha Bee and her team will produce the show from their homes. The show had been on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic since March 12.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (TV) — Trevor Noah started airing The Daily Social Distancing Show online when the show went on hiatus. The series will now air on Comedy Central in The Daily Show timeslot.
Other shows that have been postponed from shooting for at least three weeks are American Housewife, Big Shot, Empire, Pose, The Resident, Queen of the South,The Orville, and Last Man Standing. We will continue to update this post as more news breaks.