Disney’s decision to shift Star Wars: Episode VIII to a later release date has sent some pretty big ripples throughout Hollywood, and has caused at least one other studio to change its plans for some of its biggest upcoming films.
In the wake of Episode VIII moving to a December 17 premiere next year (seven months after its original, May 26 release date), Sony Pictures has announced new release dates for its Spider-Man reboot and the remake of Jumanji that were both scheduled to hit theaters in 2017.
The still-untitled reboot of Spider-Man, which will star Tom Holland and serve to integrate the popular Marvel Comics superhero into Marvel’s cinematic universe, will now hit theaters July 7, 2017. That weekend was previously expected to host the premiere of Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, but that film’s release date was moved up to May as part of the studio’s calendar shift.
Directed by Cop Car filmmaker Jon Watts, the Spider-Man reboot will be a joint production of Sony and Marvel Studios, and will also feature Marisa Tomei as Peter Parker’s Aunt May. Holland is expected to make his debut as Spider-Man in this year’s Captain America: Civil War before swinging into action in next year’s solo film.
Along with moving the Spider-Man reboot to a new release date, Sony also shifted the schedule for its remake of the 1995 family-friendly adventure Jumanji, which will now hit theaters on July 28, 2017. The remake was initially scheduled to hit theaters on Christmas Day, but the prospect of having to compete head-to-head with Star Wars: Episode VIII probably didn’t seem very appealing to Sony.
The Jumanji remake is set to be directed by Jake Kasdan (Bad Teacher, Sex Tape) from a screenplay penned by Scott Rosenberg (High Fidelity, Con Air). Like the 1995 film, the remake will be based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 children’s book about a board game that brings all manner of dangerous jungle animals and other threats to life.
