Christopher Nolan's latest much-anticipated blockbuster Tenet has had its release date pushed back for the third time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The film had originally been due for release on 17 July but its release date was recently pushed back to 31 July. Studio Warner Bros. has now moved the date again, with Tenet now scheduled to hit the big screen on 12 August.
Variety reports that the studio has also said that the film will be screened in cinemas for a longer time period than new releases usually would be to give audiences more time to see it.
A Warner Bros. spokesperson said of the decision: "Warner Bros. is committed to bringing Tenet to audiences in theaters, on the big screen, when exhibitors are ready and public health officials say it's time. In this moment what we need to be is flexible, and we are not treating this as a traditional movie release.
"We are choosing to open the movie mid-week to allow audiences to discover the film in their own time, and we plan to play longer, over an extended play period far beyond the norm, to develop a very different yet successful release strategy."
The studio has also delayed the planned 10th anniversary re-release of Nolan's 2010 blockbuster Inception, moving that from 17 July to 31 July.
Tenet is not the only big movie that's had its release date pushed back over the past few months, with Disney live-action remake Mulan, Marvel's Phase 4 opener Black Widow and DC sequel Wonder Woman 1984 among the blockbusters also being delayed.
UK cinemas are currently scheduled to begin re-opening in July and movie-goers can expect several changes to their experience compared to before cinemas closed their doors in March.
Floor markings will be in place throughout venues to encourage customers to keep their distance from each other and protective screens will be placed between customers and staff members.
It is likely that self-service confectionery stands will be removed and one-way traffic may be introduced, while customers will be seated away from other groups of people. Frequent cleaning will take place throughout the day while a reduction in screening numbers has also been suggested in order to manage crowds.
The good news is that you may be able to see classics such as the Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back and The Wizard of Oz at your local cinema again for a while, after the Film Distributors' Association released a list of 450 big titles that cinemas can show again with the aim of encouraging people back to the big screen.
Tenet is now set to arrive in cinemas on 12 August
Reporter & Sub-Editor, Digital Spy Susannah is a freelance writer and sub-editor, specialising in the entertainment industry. She graduated in 2014, with a BA in English and American Literature and Creative Writing, and an MA in Creative Producing. She’s been writing for Digital Spy ever since, after first getting involved through work experience, and has written hundreds of stories for the site on a range of topics, from The Sims to Doctor Who. Susannah has also written for Reveal Magazine. Her special interests are soaps (her Mastermind subject would be 2000s Coronation Street), Marvel and Star Wars. She can also quote far too many lines from Friends and Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
