2019: The Year of Abandoned Blockbusters and Movie Cancellations

The year 2019 was rife with cancellations, relocations, and abandoned blockbusters. As audiences eagerly await and plan for the next big movie release, it's always interesting to look back at those films that did not make it to the big screen due to various reasons. This article will explore several of the notable cancellations from 2019, from major Hollywood blockbusters to smaller, niche movies.

1. 'Joker' (2019)

Hosted under one year due to a potential connection with real-life criminal inspirations, the marketing frenzy surrounding 'Joker' did not stop the film from making its debut. However, the cancellation of Joker's real spinoff, The Joker, was a surprise. The planned film was a standalone movie staring Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker in his third iteration, and it was supposed to be a deep dive into the character's backstory. Unfortunately, the project was shelved due to a lack of creative direction.

2. 'Harley Quinn'

DC Extended Universe (DCEU) veterans are no strangers to cancellation. After the original Harley Quinn movie with Margot Robbie received positive reviews and a strong box office performance, the plan was to make more standalone films featuring her. However, in 2019, Warner Bros decided to move away from the Harley Quinn films, focusing instead on other DC characters.

3. 'Silver Surfer'

Another casualty of the Avengers: Endgame aftermath was the plans for a standalone Silver Surfer film. Marvel Studios originally planned to showcase the cosmic superhero in a solo movie, but it was ultimately cancelled in 2019. The project was driven by fan demand, particularly after the Surfer was introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. With the studio focusing on more mainstream blockbusters, the Surfer's solo film did not make the cut.

4. 'Alien: Covenant's Sequel'

David Fincher's Alien: Covenant was a critical and commercial failure, despite having a high budget and a star-studded cast. As a result, the plans for a sequel to this film were cancelled. Initially intended to be a continuation of the Covenant saga, the project was scrapped, and the future of the Alien franchise became uncertain.

5. 'Gambit'

The idea of a standalone Gambit movie was a dream for many fans of the X-Men universe. However, due to the lack of a clear plot direction and a potentially smaller budget compared to the other X-Men films, the project was cancelled. The character, who appeared in several small roles in the series and a cameo in Deadpool 2, failed to make the leap to a solo film.

6. 'World War Z 2'

Another well-intentioned series that was destined for cancellation was World War Z 2. The first film was a box office success but had a lukewarm reception from critics. With the cancellation of the prequel to World War Z 2, it looks like the franchise may be left to die a quiet death, with no plans for a follow-up or a third installment in the series.

7. 'Klonoa'

Although not a Hollywood blockbuster, Klonoa was one of the titles that saw significant cancellation news in 2019. The character and franchise, which gained popularity through video games, were looking to make the transition to live-action. However, the project faced the chop due to financial and creative issues. While fan reactions were mixed, the cancellation raised hopes that a live-action transform could still happen in the future.

8. 'The Joker Solo Movie'

Arguably the most anticipated and hyped solo movie of 2019, 'The Joker Solo Movie' was cancelled after the tremendous success of Joaquin Phoenix's haunting portrayal of the iconic villain in the 2019 film. Despite the potential to continue the story and build on the character's complex psyche, the project was shelved.

9. 'X-23'

The plans for a standalone X-23 movie, featuring Laura Kinney, were another casualty in 2019. The character gained significant popularity due to her appearances in X-Men: Apocalypse and X-Men: The Last Stand. However, the project did not move forward, and the future of X-23 in the X-Men universe remains cloudy.

10. 'X-Force'

The cancellation of the 2019 X-Force film was a shock to many fans of the X-Men franchise. After the lukewarm reception and subpar performance of the prequel, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, the decision to cancel the X-Force movie was made. The project was supposed to be a fresh take on the team and its concept, but unfortunately, it was axed due to financial and creative struggles.

11. 'Multiple Man'

The plans for Christopher McDonald to star in a standalone film about the character 'Multiple Man' were cancelled in 2019. The project was part of a new wave of X-Men films that would have included several offbeat and new characters. However, as with the other X-Men-related projects, the cancellation left the future of the character uncertain.

12. 'Kitty Pryde'

Though she gained recognition for her role in the X-Men: Apocalypse film, the plans for a film centered on Kitty Pryde as the main character were cancelled in 2019. The decision to ditch the project was made due to a lack of clear narrative and a possible smaller audience base for such a character-driven film.

13. 'Star Trek 4'

The crew behind the original Star Trek films and the TV series may have been excited about the script for the fourth installment, but Paramount Pictures decided against making Star Trek 4. The cancellation of this project was likely due to the studio's desire to redirect its focus to other popular science fiction franchises.

14. 'Doctor Doom'

For fans of the Fantastic Four and its various iterations, the cancellation of a solo film featuring Doctor Doom was a significant blow. The plans were made to explore the iconic villain in a standalone film, but the project was ultimately cancelled. The future of Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four universe remains unclear.

As we progress through 2023 and beyond, the collective industry wishes to create more opportunities to expand these beloved characters and narratives. Not all cancellations are final; some projects may still resurface under different conditions or with new creative teams.

Stay tuned to see how these characters and franchises evolve in the coming years—the possibilities may yet surprise us!