Warner Bros. Sked Shakeup: ‘Weapons' Armed For August, Paul Thomas Anderson Moves To Fall, ‘The Bride' Walking Down Aisle In 2026 & So Much More…
In a year when there were four $100 million-plus auteur-driven movies — one of which, Bong Joon Ho's Mickey 17, recently misfired — Warners Bros distribution has taken the pressure off the studios' schedule in that regard, and even placed a potential tentpole into the year: Zach Cregger's anticipated genre movie on August 8.
More from Deadline
Behind The Scenes Of Zach Cregger's Extraordinary 'Weapons' Auction & Its Aftermath: The Dish
Back In Action: Five Movie Directors Making A Welcome Return In 2025
Jonah Hill Eyeing To Star & Direct 'Cut Off' For Warner Bros
Cregger's next movie after Barbarian was previously scheduled for MLK weekend 2026, on January 16. What kept Warners from moving the pic starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich was that the theatrical release was tied to Imax screens — can't give up those auditoriums. In fact, what made all of the release-date changes feasible for Warners was that each was tied to Imax bookings. As one insider called the release shifts revealed Wednesday, 'we lifted and shifted.'
Weapons will go toe-to-toe with Disney's female-skewing sequel Freakier Friday.
The Weapons move pushes Paul Thomas Anderson's priciest movie of his career, the Leonardo DiCaprio action comedy One Battle After Another, from August 8 to September 26 (which is where Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! was).
It was out there in the ether that the PTA movie, which also stars Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro and Regina Hall, would move; it just wasn't clear to where. What makes this date special is that Warners will not only have access to Imax hubs but also select theaters that play 70mm and VistaVision. Brady Corbet's 3x Oscar-winning The Brutalist shot in VistaVision.
It's TBD if the PTA movie gets a fall film festival launch. Word is that it's not always his preference to launch that way, but he's done it before: His 2014 movie Inherent Vice (also a Warners release) premiered at the New York Film Festival, while 2012's The Master world premiered at Venice. PTA's latest, which reportedly costs around $140M, will now release opposite Lionsgate's Saw XI and Universal's Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie.
The Bride! now will go on March 6, 2026, putting the genre movie in a month that has been primed for tentpoles, i.e., Legendary/Warner Bros' Dune: Part Two, A24's Everything Everywhere All at Once, Warner Bros' The Batman, and Kong: Skull Island and Godzilla vs. Kong. This was the movie that Warners saved after Netflix passed on the project.
Warner Bros Pictures Animation's The Cat in the Hat, from directors Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, now rolls up one week from March 6, 2026 to February 27, 2026. That's a week before Disney/Pixar's Hoppers debuts on March 6. Also, the new date for Cat in Hat gives the family feature an advantage with some promotional opportunities overseas. Now Cat in the Hat, with a voice cast including Bill Hader, Quinta Brunson, Bowen Yang, Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry and Paula Pell, will share the marquee with Paramount/Spyglass' Scream 7.
Meanwhile, David Robert Mitchell's sci-fi movie Flowervale Street starring Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor goes from March 13, 2026 to August 14, 2026. The studio believes it's a commercial movie and has snapped up a better date to take advantage of last-minute summer audiences. Flowervale Street stands alone currently as the sole major-studio wide entry.
Here's what Warner Bros' release-date schedule looks like now:
March 21 — The Alto Knights
April 4 — A Minecraft Movie
April 18 (Easter weekend) — Sinners
May 16 — Final Destination: Bloodlines
June 27 — Apple Original Films' F1
July 11 — Superman
August 8 — Weapons
September 5 — Conjuring: Last Rites
September 26 — One Battle After Another
October 10 — Animal Friends
October 24 — Mortal Kombat 2
November 21 — Untitled WB Event film
December 19 — Untitled Event Film
February 13 — Wuthering Heights
February 27 — The Cat in the Hat
March 6 — The Bride!
March 27 — Untitled horror movie
April 17 — Untitled Atomic Monster/Blumhouse
May 29 — DC event movie
June 19 — Untitled event film
June 26 — Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
July 3 — Untitled event movie
August 7 — Untitled event movie
August 14 — Flowervale Street
September 11 — Clayface
September 18 — Untitled event film
October 2 — Tom Cruise/Alejandro G. Iñárritu movie
October 16 — Untitled event film
November 6 — Untitled event film
November 20 — Untitled New Line event film
December 18 – Denis Villeneuve event film (Dune 3, perhaps?)
December 25 — Untitled New Line event film
The InSneider first had the news that Weapons was going to sneak into 2025.
Best of Deadline
Everything We Know About Paramount's 'Regretting You' Adaptation So Far
List Of Hollywood & Media Layoffs From Paramount To Warner Bros Discovery To CNN & More
Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gizmodo
35 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
Zach Cregger Breaks Down the Year's Most Twisted, Surprising Horror Movie
Writing and directing a breakout hit can be both a blessing and a curse for some filmmakers. On the one hand, you've just achieved your dreams of success and adoration in the world of cinema. Well done. On the other hand, now you have to do it again. And again. And again. Some filmmakers fail at this. Others, especially the great ones, rise to the challenge. George Lucas followed THX 1138 with American Graffiti and Star Wars. Steven Spielberg followed Duel with Sugarland Express and Jaws. Fast forward a few decades, and Quentin Tarantino followed Reservoir Dogs with Pulp Fiction, Wes Anderson followed Bottle Rocket with Rushmore, and Paul Thomas Anderson followed Hard Eight with Boogie Nights, just to name a few. It's not an exact science, but usually the real measure of a filmmaker is not that first movie; it's the one (or two) that follows. Zach Cregger made his mark with the 2022 film Barbarian. The shocking horror ride made it clear he was a force to be reckoned with, and when his next film was ready to go, several major studios wanted it. That movie, called Weapons, shows what happens to a town when a group of children mysteriously vanish. It releases next week, and as we've already written about on this site, it's fantastic. A level up on par with those aforementioned filmmakers, to be sure. Recently, io9 spoke with Cregger about the pressure to follow up Barbarian. We talked about putting together this much more complex, layered movie and his writing and directing process, as well as a tease of what to expect from his third movie, a new take on Resident Evil. Read all about it below. Germain Lussier, io9. After Barbarian, I know you said you wanted to go bigger, but did you feel pressure to deliver something equally horrific and surprising again? And were you worried that by doing that the audience might kind of become to expect the same type of thing from you? Zach Cregger: Um, no. I don't really think that way. I just kind of wanted to write a story that was on the story's terms. If I'm thinking result-oriented or what are people gonna think, then I'm doomed. That's not the right way to be creative. The right way to be creative is to just do it for fun and just do it because you love to do it. To write it because you love to write. So I was able to kind of seal out that sort of result-based thinking. io9: I read in the press notes that you kind of just sat down after the death of your friend and just wrote this movie. But it's a pretty complicated movie. So once you had the rough idea, how'd you kind of settle on this structure, when to reveal what, and all the intricacies? Cregger: Yeah. So look, I sat down, and I kind of puked out a first draft. There are like 70 pages of just emotion on there. And the structure was the structure. So I had the structure in place, but it didn't really work. It definitely didn't connect right, and certain things were absolutely broken. And so then I got my 70 pages; it's time to actually roll up my sleeves and use my brain and fix it. So the first pass is definitely like a really subconscious kind of transcendental state. And then the second pass is like, 'Okay, time to get brainy here and make it function.' And that was like a three-week [process]. I went to my manager's house in the woods on the East Coast, and I didn't do anything for three weeks. All I did all day was just work on it. And I got it in shape. io9: You also mentioned in the press notes that when you sat down to write the script, you had the idea of the missing kids but didn't know the why of it yet. Cregger: Right. io9: That's obviously the whole point of the movie, and we're not going to spoil it, but I'm curious, what was the process of figuring it out? Did you get to the point in the script and you're like, 'Now I need to have this answer?' Did you make a list? Was the process of settling on what you were going to do? Cregger: No, I hadn't gotten to that moment of truth yet. I hadn't hit that point of no return. So I was kind of just like hoping it was going to come to me, and it did. Like, about 50 pages in, I got the answer, and it was a really joyful moment. I was like, 'This will work. Like this is a satisfying reason.' And, and then I was able to kind of like bend the story toward that. So yeah, it worked. io9: By the end of the movie, it's very clear why it's called Weapons, but I'm wondering, were there ever any other titles, and when did you come up with Weapons as the title? Cregger: I don't remember when. I might've come up with Weapons when I started writing. It's very possible. I think it was like always there, but I'm not sure. I should go on my computer and see if there are earlier documents that have a different title. I doubt it, though. You know, it just felt right. It was just one of those things. I really try not to think about anything when I'm writing. I don't want to intellectualize anything. So it's just kind of like, 'Bleh, that's it.' io9: Similar to Barbarian, there are a lot of surprises in this movie. How involved are you with the marketing to say, 'We can show this, we can't show that?' Because as a young filmmaker, usually you wouldn't have a lot of say in that, but this seems like it's got your fingerprints on it a little bit. Cregger: Yeah, [Warner Bros.] was definitely very collaborative, and they were interested in keeping the mystery intact. And so there was never any roll up your sleeves and duke it out things. There were a couple of moments where they showed me cuts. I was like, 'Can we lose that shot and that shot?' And they're like, 'No problem.' So they're wonderful. And I think they did an amazing job. io9: Next up you're making Resident Evil. And after doing two movies that you conceived of yourself, was there any trepidation about doing not just a movie that's a major IP, but one that has so many other movies and games and stories that fans are used to? Cregger: Yeah. I mean, you, you have to respect the IP, and you have to take it seriously. I'm a natural, huge fan of the games. I've played them all. I love them deeply. So I feel like I know how to tell a story in that world. It's an original story. I'm not telling a story that's been told in the games, but it's a story that lives in the world of the games and obeys the rules. And so, look, as long as you're telling a really good story, then I think you're going to be okay. I'm not breaking the rules. I don't think people are going to come crucify me for this. io9: Since it's in the trailer, I feel safe asking about this, but the eyes. Those unblinking eyes. Those bloodshot eyes. How did you go about doing that practically? Or was it… Cregger: It was VFX. We researched Graves' disease. And so we had a lot of reference material from that. And then, you know, it was an iterative process in post of like, how big is too big? And you want that thing where it looks wrong, but it's not immediately obvious. And so yeah, we dialed it in slowly. It's pretty wild. io9: This is a horror movie for sure, but it's got detective stuff, family drama, and mystery too. How did this mishmash of genres come to be, or was that sort of a result of you just kind of like throwing this whole story out there? Cregger: It was that. This is just kind of what came [out], you know? I knew I had all these different characters that were all going to kind of dive headlong into this mystery, but all from different places. So you got a cop; you're going to get a cop way in. You've got a drug addict, you're going to get this like seedy way in, and you've got the teacher, and she's going to get preyed upon. So I was able to kind of do like five different horror movies, or seven, as it were, in one. It was really fun. io9: We're at a place now where this movie is coming out, and I think it's going to be a real big hit, but it's been a great summer for horror overall. Horror has really seen a resurgence in the last couple of years. Do you feel like you're carrying the torch at all, now having two movies as part of that? Do you feel like an ambassador in any way? Cregger: I don't know. I don't think that way, of like, my place in the broader framework of horror. I'm more than happy that there seem to be people excited to see the movie, and that's enough for me. io9: The movie allows us to see scenes from multiple points of view. How'd you go about that? Did you shoot them all at the same time? Cregger: You got to shoot it all together because of the limitations of time and money, and it's such a big machine making a movie. So it's like when you're at the gas station, you're going to shoot all the gas station stuff. I'm not coming back to the gas station for that person's chapter. We're going to do it all together. And it's confusing, but if you're really organized and you've shot it out, like you storyboarded it and you have a plan, it's not so bad. io9: And my last thing here is when the movie was first announced, Pedro Pascal was playing the Josh Brolin role. Ultimately he had to leave, and now it's Josh Brolin. How would the movie have been different with Pedro than with Josh, and why was Josh ultimately the right person for it? Cregger: I have no idea because I didn't make the movie with Pedro. I can't really answer that. I can just only say that I adore Josh's performance in this movie, and I'm so glad he's in it. He's amazing. Weapons is amazing too. Check it out on August 8, and come back next week for more from Cregger about a few spoilers in the film. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
CNET
35 minutes ago
- CNET
'Final Destination Bloodlines' Is Now Streaming. Here's How to Watch
HBO Max was previously a streaming resting place for Final Destination films, and Death isn't done with its subscribers. As of Friday, Final Destination Bloodlines is available on the streaming service formerly known as Max. The new movie revolves around Stefani (Kaitlyn Santa Juana), a college student whose disturbing, recurring nightmares lead her to find her estranged grandmother and try to stave off Death. At the time of this writing, Final Destination Bloodlines has a killer Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%. If you can accept the fate of watching Bloodlines (enduring another grisly round of ridiculously elaborate deaths), here's how to stream it. How to stream Final Destination Bloodlines Excited for Bloodlines, the first Final Destination movie in 14 years? You can stream it now with an HBO Max subscription. HBO Max also carries the first five films in the franchise: Final Destination (2000), Final Destination 2 (2003), Final Destination 3 (2006), The Final Destination (2009) and Final Destination 5 (2011).
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Coyote vs. Acme' Debuts First Footage as Will Forte Reflects on Salvaged Film: 'I Had Given Up Hope'
After a very bumpy road, Coyote vs. Acme's team took to San Diego Comic-Con to celebrate the movie finally heading to the big screen and announce its forthcoming release date. 'I'm pretty speechless,' Will Forte told the crowd about the movie landing a release from Ketchup Entertainment after being dropped by Warner Bros. 'It blows my mind. You think back to the journey this movie has taken. I had kind of given up hope at a certain point, so this is amazing.' More from The Hollywood Reporter James Gunn Receives Hero's Welcome During 'Superman' Victory Lap at Comic-Con Rebecca Romijn Isn't "Sure" She's Done Filming for 'Avengers: Doomsday' Because "They Haven't Finishing Writing" the Script 'Interview With the Vampire' Takes on New Title for Season 3: 'The Vampire Lestat' The first footage from Coyote vs. Acme featured a montage of Wile E. Coyote's failed attempts to thwart the Road Runner, which was set to Johnny Cash's version of the Nine Inch Nails hit 'Hurt.' Later, Wile E. Coyote happens to see a TV commercial from attorney Kevin Avery, as played by Forte. 'Have you ever pulled the rip cord of your parachute and only silverware comes out?' the character says in the footage. 'It's not your fault.' The footage led to plenty of laughs and cheers from the supportive crowd. The film's team announced that Coyote vs. Acme is set to hit theaters on Aug. 28, 2026. Notably, no one on the panel, including castmembers Eric Bauza and Martha Kelly, director Dave Green and moderator Paul Scheer, mentioned Warner Bros.' name in discussing the project's challenging path. Forte praised Wile as 'a character that never gives up' but added, 'The real hero of this movie is all of you guys sitting in those seats. Like Wile E. Coyote, you guys were an underdog who fought against a major corporation, and because you never gave up, this movie is now going to come out in wide global release.' Later, the team screened six more minutes of footage, which included co-star John Cena defending Acme in a courtroom scene. 'What I will prove to this jury is that this man, Wile E. Coyote, he is reckless,' Cena says in the sequence. A disaster involving the defense team's evidence leads to a fiery explosion in the court. Afterward, Forte's character gets a phone call from a mysterious source who sounds distinctly like Bugs Bunny. 'I think I may be able to help with with Acme,' the unnamed friend says. 'I have an associate with information.' The panel ended with the team debuting the movie's action-packed teaser trailer. In late 2023, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Warner Bros. planned to scrap the completed movie as part of a $115 million write-down. Social media uproar helped to save the project, which Ketchup Entertainment acquired for distribution in March. The film centers on attorney Kevin Avery (Forte) representing Wile E. Coyote in a lawsuit against the Acme Corporation over his failed attempts to catch the Road Runner. Green directed the film from a script by Samy Burch, with Burch, James Gunn and Jeremy Slater credited for the story. The film features Looney Tunes characters and is based on Ian Frazier's 1990 New Yorker article 'Coyote v. Acme.' 'I never thought it would happen, so it just came out of nowhere, and I'm so thrilled,' Forte told THR earlier this year about the movie landing distribution. 'I'm so excited for people to see this movie. I'm gonna promote the crap out of it. Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll go, I'll do whatever — go to the top of Mount Everest, I'm there.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 40 Greatest Needle Drops in Film History The 40 Best Films About the Immigrant Experience Wes Anderson's Movies Ranked From Worst to Best Solve the daily Crossword
