It looks like we're finally beginning to see the ramifications of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike on the 2024 film release schedule. The big changes on the animation side have started with Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, which has vacated its original March 29, 2024 release and is now undated.
In turn, Sony has pushed back Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel from the Holiday 2023 season this December to Beyond the Spider-Verse's original release date on March 29.
Perhaps Dreamworks Animation feels more confident going toe-to-toe with the Afterlife sequel as the studio has pushed Kung-Fu Panda 4 from its original March 8, release to also drop on March 29.
March 29 will be Easter weekend in the U.S. and is a great opportunity for family-oriented films to clean up at the box office and take advantage of the majority of K-12 schools being closed for the weekend. Last year, Universal Pictures' The Super Mario Bros. Movie was released during Easter and a strong opening weekend propelled the film to grossing over $1.351 billion at the worldwide box office.
Dreamworks Animation (a subsidiary of Universal) rightfully, wants Jack Black to replicate that same Easter weekend box office magic with Kung-Fu Panda 4.
In addition to Sony's Ghostbusters: Afterlife sequel, the fourth installment centering on Jack Black's lovable martial arts panda will face competition from Disney Pixar's Elio (March 1) and Disney's Snow White (March 22).
Of course, if the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike continues for a substantial amount of time, expect more release date shuffling to occur.
Kungfu-Panda 4 is directed by Mike Mitchell (Trolls, The Lego Move 2: The Second Part) and Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power). Along with Jack Black, Angelina Jolie (Master Tigress), Dustin Hoffman (Master Shifu), Seth Rogen (Master Mantis), Lucy Liu (Master Viper), Jackie Chan (Master Monkey), and Steele Gagnon (Bao) are all expected to reprise their roles.
During CinemaCon 2023, Black revealed that in the fourth installment, Po is facing his greatest challenge yet as he must train a new generation of kung fu masters and find the next Dragon Warrior who must defeat an ancient threat. Among Po's students is his top disciple, Bao while the new ancient threat will reportedly be the Chameleon, a villain who can shapeshift and mimic the fighting styles of anyone.
UPDATE:A rep from Dreamworks has reached out to refute claims that the movie has been delayed. Kung-Fu Panda 4 will retain its March 8, 2024 release date.