Studios are scrambling to lock down July 2020 release dates and Sony is staked its claim for Morbius. The next film in Sony’s Univers of Marvel Characters will drop July 31, 2020.
Sony originally booked July 10, 2020, for an untitled Marvel film, but just gave that date to Jason Reitman’s Ghostbusters sequel. Sony still has October 2 booked that same year, which is likely for Venom 2.
By moving Morbius, Sony has wisely placed the film after some intense competition that same month. Warner Bros. just announced a Christopher Nolan movie for July 17. Disney’s Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne Johson, hit theaters July 24.
Late July and early August release dates have worked wonders for new comic book franchises in the past. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Suicide Squad (2016) both benefitted from hitting theaters after most summer movies had already been released, leaving little new competition at the box office.
Morbius‘ release date once belonged to Marvel Studios, back when the studio was set to release three films in 2020. Marvel dropped the July 31 date, however, after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 went on hold indefinitely in the wake of James Gunn’s firing.
Morbius is being directed by Daniel Espinosa and stars Jared Leto in the title role. Matt Smith has also been added to the cast in an undisclosed role.
SOURCE: Exhibitor Relations
