Walt Disney has delayed and postponed the release of three major films, dealing a fresh blow to cinema operators struggling amid the pandemic.

The new Avatar and Star Wars films have been delayed a year, while Mulan has been removed from schedules completely.

Mulan, already delayed because of cinema closures, had been scheduled for release at the end of August.

A rise in virus cases in the US and the impact globally on film production forced the change.

It had been hoped that Mulan might spark a late-summer rebound in cinema-going.

The Avatar sequel is now set to debut in theatres in December 2022, and the next Star Wars movie in December 2023.

[Source: BBC]