Even with much of the world under lockdowns, there’s still plenty of movie news to report from this June. Here’s our pick of the week’s news…
- Peter Jackson’s special effects company, Weta Digital, is launching an animated division. The New Zealand director is set to write, produce, and direct several projects for the new division, stating it was created to “change the model and open the doors to filmmakers and storytellers who might not otherwise be given the chance to show what they can do”. – Variety
- The 2021 Oscars have been pushed back by two months, moving from February 28th to April 25th as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. BAFTA also announced a date change shortly after, moving to April 11th. – Variety
- The release of Christopher Nolan’s new film, TENET, has been pushed back by two weeks to July 31st, with the 10th anniversary re-release of INCEPTION taking place on the 17th instead. In the wake of the announcement about TENET, WONDER WOMAN 1984 was also rescheduled, being pushed back to October 2nd. – Deadline
- James Bond’s latest outing – and Daniel Craig’s last as the character, has been brought forward again, however… although only by five days. Originally scheduled for April, NO TIME TO DIE will now be released on November 20th. – The Wrap
- JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION will the first major studio film to resume filming in the UK, with filming set to pick up at Pinewood Studios on July 6th. Universal has apparently spent around $5m on safety, with extensive testing, training, and other protocols. – Deadline
- UK cinemas are also set to receive a boost when they reopen, with such films as LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, BACK TO THE FUTURE, the HARRY POTTER series, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, and many others seeing a re-release. – Hollywood Reporter
The pandemic has had a significant effect on our industry – CineEurope estimates the cinema industry could lose between $20 and $31 billion in revenue in 2020 – but things are starting to get back on track. Screenwriters have an important part to play in that, by continuing to supply producers with great scripts.
If you’ve got a screenplay that you want to get out there, enter our Summer 2020 Writing Contest, with guaranteed pitching to industry for the top three scripts – the deadline has been extended until June 28th! Click HERE to submit!