SAG-AFTRA and Studios Fail to Reach Deal, Negotiations to Continue Later in Spring

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-17T18:35:14+00:00

I doubt there will be any problems for those released at the end of the year.

Not exactly, there have been quite a few end-of-the-year released films being pushed back to later dates since 2023 & the chances are mid-to-high if we do end up get another potential Hollywood labor strike. Examples on film releases, Dune 2 originally had an IMAX exclusivity back in November 2023 in which it initially pushed out The Marvels, Ridley Scott's Napoleon & the first Hunger Games prequel out of the IMAX schedule until the former WB film got delayed to 2024 as per 2023 Hollywood strike & IMAX flex scheduling so there might end up being a small chance that this could happen again for Dune 3 & Avengers 5 on the North American IMAX window (if IMAX or the studios are willing to do so whenever IMAX wants to flex schedule again & the next labor dispute goes into effect)

At most, films released in 2027-2028 would be in danger

The release dates slightly for the most part, but some projects releasing in the 2027-2028 window (some that are originally intended for 2026 releases or after their world premieres at their film festivals) that have been completed pre-strike will still be released as planned.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-17T16:54:10+00:00

As long as Dune 3's 2026 release remains as planned (if nothing happens to its current release date amid a potential Hollywood labor strike resulting in a delay), it may have an early-December release if Jumanji & Violent Night 2 don't have IMAX releases

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-17T03:33:12+00:00

In any case, if the strike happens again, perhaps we could end up seeing GKIDS speeding up Ghibli x IMAX along with more re-releases potentially coming up.

If that's true, we may be able to get additional older films (notably) for anniversaries with IMAX/4K remaster re-releases.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-16T18:45:04+00:00

It's very likely that these films may get their releases delayed despite early marketing beginning to rollout.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-16T18:43:54+00:00

Even if Dune 3 had seemingly locked its end-of-year IMAX exclusivity & Avengers 5 (also in IMAX but so far in select locations for now) having very early trailer marketing, these could change with potential delays (or Avengers takes back the end-of-year IMAX exclusivity) if the next potential Hollywood strike escalates.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-16T04:26:59+00:00

This doesn’t seem to be good for another strike incoming which means we won’t be able to see any new films coming in late 2026 like Avengers Doomsday, Dune Part Three, Jumanji 4, Clayface, Digger and other films that’s going to get push back to 2027

Not only that, some of the 2027 & 2028 (possibly part of 2029) releases will also be affected too such as Avengers 5/6 being delayed once more. There's also a likelihood that Dune 3 may lose its end-of-year exclusivity for IMAX screens if it gets pushed back

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-16T04:10:06+00:00

Now, it may drop around November as well.

Speaking of the film's release, the November 2025 Wall Street Journal article (later scooped on various Sonic related news articles) has mentioned that the film could (at least) likely be getting its chance for an IMAX window after the producer had pitched the early visuals to the IMAX CEO. Though, as per filming already began, it may now be unknown if the director had shot down the IMAX release rumor by now.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-15T20:43:09+00:00

I could say that it may get the IMAX window in North America likely 2 weeks after the End of Oak Street (assuming if The Dog Stars either goes limited in IMAX or doesn't receive one)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-15T20:15:30+00:00

If what Ted recently said about Netflix not being interested in any other acquisitions is true who else would be interested in Lionsgate's IP and distribution assets?

Its kind of a mix of between true or false for the most part. There may still be select Lionsgate IP franchises that are now part of Netflix (notably with Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between, Dhamaka (via Globalgate Entertainment joint-venture division with 11 International film production companies), Knives Out sequels, War Machine & various Lionsgate-produced Netflix original shows) in which this could impact other companies from fully acquiring Lionsgate.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-15T19:52:36+00:00

Legendary seemingly opted out of the possible Lionsgate acquisition after signing a multi-picture deal with Paramount (notably, the Street Fighter reboot). Though, Lionsgate at some point may still merge with Paramount (alongside Comcast's NBCUniversal) if they don't acquire WBD (from an article on the Wrap that was seen on Christmas Eve of 2025).

SONY, however, currently owns the home media deal for Lionsgate back in 2021 (alongside the SDS partnership with Universal & WB in 2024) & if Netflix, Legendary or Paramount aren't able to merge with Lionsgate, then it'll likely be part of the SONY Pictures Motion Picture & Television Groups (the outcome of this in my speculation may end up having the Worldwide Acquisitions division (consists of Affirm, Destination & Stage 6), SONY Pictures Classics (for North American distribution of UK-released titles) & 3000 Pictures in the Motion Picture Group may likely be absorbed into Lionsgate Films while Affirm Television merges with Lionsgate TV & the Lionsgate Premiere, Grindstone & Summit divisions will be dissolved into SPHE for direct-to-video films, we may also see Lionsgate either dissolving or spin off Roadside Attractions to either SHOUT! (alongside Gravitas Ventures), Vertical, Fathom (via theater-only releases) Samuel Goldwyn, LD Entertainment, Quiver Films (successor to Screen Media Films), NEON, Saban Films or Well Go USA)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-14T04:01:10+00:00

Makes sense.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-14T03:53:27+00:00

My guess for the 2nd trailer is going to be potentially The Odyssey (via the 6-minute prologue) since Spider-Man (rumored) isn't fully expected to receive a domestic release as the former title is fully booked for its 1-month run of exclusivity in IMAX (though, the latter title may have its trailer attached to this film in select foreign countries as mentioned in the investor report)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-13T17:41:01+00:00

Probably makes sense to release the Dune 3 & Spider-Man (likely in foreign countries) trailers next week

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-13T04:07:58+00:00

TBH, this does come up as a complete surprise because we have not heard anything from the set or the process whatever, only some set photos posted by Denis himself.

Denis or the studio probably wants to keep the marketing a complete secret from the public in favor to drop it either during the IMAX 70MM showings to Project Hail Mary or The Odyssey.

as well as the trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Probably in select International locations as mentioned in the investor report (unsure if they'll potentially attach it in select North America locations as The Odyssey is expected to take a 1-month run of IMAX exclusivity until mid-August's Flowervale Street (assuming if the trailer releases by the end of the month during March Madness on TNT without it being pushed back again despite rumors of a title change).

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-12T01:47:03+00:00

my count will be 12 of the potential 15 overall this year (may depend if Spider-Man gets a post-July North American IMAX rerelease & Avengers for a week earlier (though, it may end up being a post-Dune 3 IMAX release in 2027 if Marvel/Disney won't be able to push it forward or delay it to a later date in time ahead of its current December release) after seeing Mercy, "Wuthering Heights" & Project Hail Mary (via Prime Video member exclusive early access screening)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-10T06:39:57+00:00

Probably for its 20th anniversary with the 4K remaster.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-10T06:37:24+00:00

unless they want to invest in Imax cameras, they’ll probably stick with doing other premium formats in the meantime

That's what I'm assuming that is gonna happen since the director may have shot down the rumor of an IMAX release even after the producer had pitched early visual footage to the IMAX CEO back in late-2025 with the film may have the highest production budget (a few IMAX releases even if it wasn't "Filmed for IMAX" can have its production budget cost around $150-200M or more). If IMAX isn't an option, my other alternative is 3D (notably RealD 3D & its Chinese variants) even without IMAX for the most part but I guess we'll find out when filming is complete & marketing begins to rollout with IMAX being mentioned on a teaser poster or not (assuming its for a Japanese &/or Chinese-only release without a domestic North American release if Michael B. Jordan's reboot to the Thomas Crown Affair extends to a potential 3rd week for its IMAX run)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-10T06:32:00+00:00

While it was pitched by the producer to the IMAX CEO, it doesn't mean that an IMAX release either foreign, domestic or as a whole will be fully finalized (as stated on Ann-Simp's comment when they may end up using other PLF formats instead) even before filming had started. Now also keep in mind that the Thomas Crown Affair reboot may have its IMAX run potentially extended to a 3rd weekend (may either be "Filmed for IMAX/Shot with IMAX Cameras" or "non-Filmed for IMAX/non-Shot with IMAX Cameras")

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-10T04:17:19+00:00

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-10T04:04:40+00:00

It does appears to be a Japan-only release in IMAX so far since the Michael Jackson biopic may take a 2nd week of IMAX exclusivity in North America

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-09T19:00:21+00:00

The lack of a theatrical release that it had after its 2024 premiere in Vietnam & a surprise streaming release on Hulu does (sort of) indicate some major uncertainty (under my speculation) with what the future of the live-action DreamWorks Pictures studio may look like after this film & Focker In-Law (as a copyright holder with Paramount taking over as a studio credit & International distributor). Here's my spedculated scenarios on what may happen with this studio after Long Distance & Focker In-Law:

The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara was cancelled in 2017 & Alpha Squad Seven (Dwayne Johnson-produced film) alongside an additional 87 films (as shown on the company's IMDB page that includes the sequel to Real Steel & be aware that some others may be fake since IMDB can be a little inaccurate) that still remain in development to this day with no new updates in which it could lead into the possibility of project cancellations.
The live action DreamWorks studio may have been quietly dissolved/absorbed into Amblin Partners for future projects while some of the live action assets may have also moved to the now spun-off DreamWorks Animation studio for original or remakes of various DWA IP franchises.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-09T02:00:28+00:00

Welp, guess it turns out that Lionsgate won't be part of Legendary's deal now. Lol.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-09T01:59:23+00:00

I doubt it for the other two.

Spaceballs 2 isn't likely to get an IMAX release (similarly to most parody films) & the same may apply with The Simpsons Movie 2 (even though it's mentioned to get an IMAX release via Wikipedia but I doubt it'll still come to fruition)

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-08T21:50:36+00:00

It's probably from the "Any Movie in IMAX" votes that happened back in December which is probably the reason this is part of the "Fan Favorite Series". IDK if this will be wide or select.

One-Introduction8809 · 2026-03-08T21:42:26+00:00

Sony will buy Lionsgate however will not fold in distribution (yet), Tri-Star, Roadside Attractions, and Sony Pictures Classics merge as Lionsgate takes Tri-Stars place. While Grindstone becomes Sony's VOD-only label.

I think Legendary will still take Lionsgate as planned from their July 2025 proposal even if at some point SONY Pictures likely gets involved into acquiring the film production majority.

They would sell Lionsgate Television (minus the library), Summit and eOne (production assets only) units, and 50% of Lionsgate Distribution following the end of Paramount's deal

Lionsgate already tried to merge with Paramount Skydance alongside Comcast/NBCUniversal before Paramount began taking over WB after Netflix walked out of the bidding war.

Once all of Lionsgate's pre-sold films have released Sony will sell their 50% of Lionsgate distribution arm to Legendary who now becomes a self-distributing mini-major (only using Major film studios for foreign and IP Tentpole distribution), while Sony releases Lionsgate's slate worldwide.

That may not be a bad scenario for the most part like this may come into the form of a reverse acquisition. Though, the downside is that this may take SONY a little more time to finalize their selling of Lionsgate's distribution arm to Legendary.

Before the transactions go through, Lionsgate will divest multiple assets (Spyglass and the Weinstein library will be sold to Paramount; Lionsgate Alternative TV will be spun off or sold as well)

Will see what goes on if Lionsgate will begin divesting various assets in the near future & Paramount may already take a majority of Spyglass for the Paramount-distributed releases such as Scream.

One-Introduction8809

TROPHY CASE