The clash of highly anticipated movies at the box office is nothing less than a war. Earlier this year, it was Oppenheimer and Barbie leading to Barbenheimer, where Gerwig overpowered Nolan’s prowess. And now, it was supposed to be Dune: Part Two and The Marvels in November. While fans were excited about the clash, they were also dissatisfied with Dune getting more IMAX screens than Marvel’s new addition. However, owing to the SAG-AFTRA strike, it seems like the tables have turned, bringing some joy to Marvel fans. 

Zendaya and Timothée Chalamet starrer movie was said to be released one week prior to the MCU movie. However, the double strike is giving The Marvels a chance to outshine Dune: Part Two. As the story of Paul Atreides has been shifted to 2024, how can The Marvels cash on this new opportunity?

Zendaya’s postponed project can be The Marvels’ win 

Variety confirmed the report of Zendaya starrer sci-fi tent-pole release being pushed to March 15, 2024, due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. This update on the release date is a moment of celebration as now The Marvels will not have to worry about the IMAX screens. Earlier, Dune: Part Two was supposed to be released on November 3, 2023, and have the maximum IMAX screens, leaving no option for the Brie Larson starrer to get their hands on the screens. However, with this new development, the MCU movie has most of the IMAX screens to itself. 

In the past, the IMAX CEO, Richard Gelfond, favored the Zendaya starrer movie over the MCU flick. He clarified that Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two won’t be delayed, contrary to the previous reports. During the IMAX Q2 earnings call, Richard made it very clear that “we can’t play it because we are committed to Dune” (via Screenrant).

However, it is not only Dune: Part Two that is getting delayed as many other big projects have been the victim of delays owing to the ongoing double strike. 

SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are hunting the filmmakers and their projects

The ongoing double strike has been a nightmare for Hollywood. While Dune: Part Two is being delayed, there are many other projects that have had a similar fate. One of the highly anticipated, Ryan Reynolds starrer Deadpool 3 is one. The movie has not only been halted for but was also not mentioned in Disney’s updated theatrical slate for the first half of 2024. 

Another Netflix series, Cobra Kai was also a part of the strike as the production on the sixth season has paused. Showrunner Jon Hurwitz declared full support for his fellow writers from the industry. He even used a Cobra Kai mantra “strike first, strike hard” while sharing a post on Twitter. Some of the other big projects that were affected due to the strike are Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel, Tom Cruise’s eighth Mission: Impossible movie, Kung Fu Panda 4 and even Stranger Things season 5.

Dune: Part Two is set to release on March 15, 2024, and The Marvels will release on 10 November 2023. Do you think The Marvels will get an advantage with more IMAX screens? Let us know in the comments below.