BURBANK (CNS) - Disney Studios unveiled a rejiggered slate of major film releases today following its recent acquisition of Fox film studios, including three new “Star Wars” movies that will have the media behemoth alternating “Star Wars” and “Avatar” sequels every year from 2021 through 2027.
Disney is currently enjoying the record-breaking run of Marvel Studios' “Avengers: Endgame,” and the added projects from the Fox properties such as the Avatar franchise -- part of a $71.3 billion deal that closed earlier this year -- figure to keep the company at the forefront of worldwide box office returns for years.
Four planned sequels to director James Cameron's 2009 blockbuster “Avatar” will begin with the release of “Avatar 2” in December 2021, one year later than originally planned.
Three as-yet-untitled “Star Wars” films will release on the pre- Christmas weekend every other year beginning in 2022, in addition to “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” in December 2019.
“We're excited to put in place a robust and diverse slate that lays the foundation of our long-term strategy, bringing together a breadth of films from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, Fox, Fox Searchlight and Blue Sky Studios to create an extraordinary collection of cinematic experiences for audiences around the world,” said Cathleen Taff, president of theatrical distribution, franchise management and business & audience insights for The Walt Disney Studios.
“With a strong summer already in place, we are eager to carry that momentum forward over the coming years thanks to a creative wellspring of bold and imaginative stories coming from our world-class studios -- including several new chapters of two revered franchises, Avatar and Star Wars.”
Here is the updated release schedule:
--2019 Films:
Tolkien, 5/10
Aladdin, 5/24
Dark Phoenix, 6/7
Toy Story 4, 6/21
Stuber, 7/12
The Lion King, 7/19
The Art of Racing in the Rain, 8/19
Ready or Not, 8/23
Astra, 9/20
Woman in the Window, 10/4
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, 10/18
Ford v. Ferrari, 11/15
Frozen 2, 11/22
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, 12/20
Spies In Disguise, 12/25
--2020 Films:
Underwater, 1/10
Untitled Kingsman, 2/14
Call of the Wild, 2/21
Onward, 3/6
Mulan, 3/27
The New Mutants, 4/3
Untitled Marvel, 5/1
Artemis Fowl, 5/25
Untitled Pixar Animation, 6/19
Free Guy, 7/3
Bob's Burgers, 7/17
Jungle Cruise, 7/24
The One and Only Ivan, 8/14
Death on the Nile, 10/9
Untitled Marvel, 11/6
Ron's Gone Wrong, 11/6
Untitled Disney Animation, 11/25
West Side Story, 12/18
Cruella, 12/23
--2021 Films:
Untitled Marvel, 2/12
Nimona, 3/5
Untitled Disney Live Action, 3/12
Untitled Disney Marvel, 5/7
Untitled Disney Live Action, 5/28
Untitled Disney Pixar Action, 6/18
Untitled Indiana Jones, 7/9
Untitled Disney Live Action, 7/30
Untitled Disney Live Action, 10/8
Untitled Marvel, 11/5
Untitled Disney Animation, 11/24
Avatar 2, 12/17
--2022 Films:
Untitled Marvel, 2/18
Untitled Pixar, 3/18
Untitled Marvel, 5/6
Untitled Disney Live Action, 5/27
Untitled Disney Pixar, 6/17
Untitled Disney Live Action, 7/8
Untitled Marvel, 7/29
Untitled Disney Live Action, 10/7
Untitled Disney Live Action, 11/4
Untitled Disney Animation, 11/23
Untitled Star Wars, 12/16
--2023 Films:
Untitled Disney Live Action, 2/17
Avatar 3, 12/22
--2024 Films:
Untitled Star Wars, 12/16, 12/20
--2025 Films:
Avatar 4, 12/19
--2026 Films:
Untitled Star Wars, 12/18
--2027 Films:
Avatar 5, 12/17
Photo: Getty Images