In a chain of (would-be) blockbuster delays that feels like its been stretching on for years now, the Coronavirus pandemic release date delays continue to spread, as the toys giant Hasbro announces huge losses after Entertainment One film and TV division, and delays in its movie releases amid cinema closures. The theater closures around COVID-19 lockdowns have pushed the release dates on Hasbro films into 2021, most notably their Paramount co-production of a new “G.I. Joe” movie.
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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chairman and CEO said that a new “G.I. Joe” movie in the works along with Paramount is now targeting a theatrical release next year after initially eyeing an October 2020 roll-out, delayed by the pandemic. “We’re working out the specifics with Paramount,” Goldner told analysts. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, who produced “Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins” and is also producing various projects based on Hasbro’s famous (or infamous, depending on how you feel) “Transformers” brand, will produce the relaunch of the franchise with Hasbro’s arm, Allspark Pictures.
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Despite the pushbacks and losses, eOne has started to resume production on scripted and unscripted series in Canada and the U.K., while the company awaits a relaunch of production in the U.S., potentially later this year. Unlike the stalling of live-action production during the pandemic, animation production at eOne remained active, including for “Peppa Pig,” “PJ Masks” and the 2021 “My Little Pony” animated feature film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, eOne has around 100 TV projects currently in development and another 40 movie projects in its pipeline, including projects around more than 32 Hasbro properties, including the tabletop role-playing game “Dungeons and Dragons.”
