The short-lived spike of the return to movie theaters may be threatened by the COVID-19 Delta variant. These concerns loom overhead as cases begin to rise again at an alarming rate, and theaters are once again debating between hosting in-person screenings during the resurgence. One major studio announced that they would postpone their Venom sequel.
This isn't the first time that Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) has been subject to delays issued by Sony Pictures amid COVID-19 anxiety. After seemingly secured in its September 24 release date, the second Venom movie is now expected to release later within the year, still asserting its spot in 2021.
Suspicion around Sony's suspension of the film came about after the latest trailer omitted the previous date and instead replaced it with the release year. Variety reported that the postponement is only a three-week difference and will land the movie in the middle of October 2021 at the moment. It has been reported by Deadline that the studio is unsure if they are to stay with an October date or to an even later date in January 2022. The outlet has noted that Sony remains indecisive about sacrificing their late September spot.
The studio has struggled when timing its superhero releases while remaining aware of the global pandemic. The Jared Leto-led Morbius was delayed a week later into January 2022, and are currently holding their breath as Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) sticks to its December 21, 2021 premiere. With the Spider-Man threequel sandwiched between Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Morbius, the three stacked atop each other in such close proximity could mean that there's some sort of correlation at hand.
There is the hope that Sony will see both the financial and critical success that Venom (2018) achieved. With Woody Harrelson joining the ensemble as Cletus "Carnage" Kasady and the capability to allude to both Morbius and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Sony could score again with this sequel. Venom: Let There Be Carnage is now expected to arrive on October 15, 2021.