The complexion of Fox's X-Men universe underwent another drastic change today, with release dates being shifted for three movies in the studio's superhero film slate.
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According to the Hollywood Reporter, Josh Boone's The New Mutants has been pushed back 10 months from April 13, 2018 to February 22, 2019; Deadpool 2 has been brought up two weeks from June 1 to May 18 this year; while Gambit moves from February 14, 2019, to June 7, 2019.
The New Mutants shift comes as a big surprise given the release of a trailer as well as the heavy social marketing that's been done so far to promote the movie. THR's sources state that one reason for the change is because Fox wants to prevent an overlap with other X-Men movies in overseas markets, as seen where New Mutants and Deadpool 2 which would have clashed in theaters. A subsequent report on Tracking Board says Fox was pleased with the audience response in general, but plans to rework the film to play up its horror aspects in order to truly scare audiences.
Deadpool 2 is now opening a week before Disney's Solo: A Star Wars Story in what is being described as a strategic move by Fox.
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Fans will be a bit more understanding of the Gambit news however, given that yet another director in Gore Verbinski exited the project, leaving it firmly embedded in developmental hell.