Top Gun: Maverick, the upcoming sequel to 1986’s Top Gun, has been delayed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Paramount Pictures announced late Thursday, July 23, 2020, that the upcoming release of “Top Gun: Maverick” will be delayed for a second time until July 2, 2021.
The film, a highly-anticipated sequel to the original 1986 “Top Gun” hit movie, was originally slated for theatrical release in the United States on Jun. 24, 2020 but was delayed for the first time by Paramount until December 23, 2020.
This latest delay means the film will premiere a year behind schedule due to worldwide theater closures in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Sarah Whitten of CNBC wrote that “Studios fearful of small crowds and knowing that production halts have impacted releases of films later on the calendar, are holding onto these features for when theaters can operate more safely.”
This could be a smart move for the film, as it may be better suited for the summer box office season. However, movie fans will have to wait and see if Top Gun: Maverick is able to hold on to new release date (more than a full year after its original June 24, 2020 date) or if it will face another delay like so many other movies have this year.
The delay of the theatrical release of “Top Gun: Maverick” accompanies additional delays for several other large-budget Hollywood productions.
