The pandemic has taken a toll on just about every production in the industry as of late, but Paramount has suffered more than most. The studio has once again shuffled the release deck, resulting in no more movies coming to theaters before the end of 2021.
In fact, only three Paramount titles have hit theaters this year, with mixed success. A Quiet Place Part II and PAW Patrol: The Movie did decent business, certainly, but Snake Eyes flopped hard. The latest stung are both long-gestating sequels, with Top Gun: Maverick and Jackass Forever pushed back until 2022.
It was only weeks ago the first trailer for the return of Johnny Knoxville dropped; at the time, it was holding firm to an October 22nd debut. Unfortunately, those hoping to see middle-aged dudes risk their health and safety for entertainment must now wait until February 4, 2022.
Having sold Coming 2 America, Without Remorse, and The Tomorrow War to Amazon, gifted Infinite to the company’s in-house streaming service, handed The United States vs. Billie Holiday to Hulu and partnered up with Netflix to distribute The Lovebirds, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Love and Monsters, and SpongeBob: Sponge on the Run since the pandemic started, it’s been a year and half to forget for Paramount.
Hopefully Top Gun: Maverick and Jackass Forever mark the last of the rejigging, because the more movies that end up getting delayed to 2022, the longer it’ll take for the box office and industry at large to return to former glories.