The rise of
Delta variant cases of COVID-19 in the United States has caused another delay
in the theatrical release of Sony’s comic book movie ‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’.
The film – which stars Tom Hardy as the titular anti-hero – was initially set to
release on September 24 in the US after being delayed multiple times amid the pandemic.

It will now
open on October 15, Variety reported.

The more
contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus has caused a massive spike in cases
in the US, the world’s worst affected country from the pandemic. The spike in
cases has also caused consumers to lose confidence in returning to the theatres.

Also Read | ‘Venom: Let there be Carnage’ trailer shows Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson in action

A research conducted
by the National Research Group found that 67% of moviegoers are “very or
somewhat comfortable” visiting their local multiplex, which reduced by 3%
compared to last week and 14% compared to last month.

Hollywood’s
box office performance, both in America and internationally, has also fluctuated
in recent times and is yet to fully recover since the pandemic ravaged the
industry. Movies like ‘A Quiet Place Part II’ and ‘F9: The Fast Saga’ have done
good business in the pandemic era, while films such as ‘Snake Eyes’ and ‘Space
Jam: A New Legacy’ have gone under.

Also Read | Americans beat the COVID blues with memes as Delta variant rise in US

The sequel
to the 2018 movie ‘Venom’ is helmed by Andy Serkis, with the script written by
Kelly Marcel. Hardy returns as journalist Eddie Brock, who has an alien
symbiote living inside him and together they are Venom.  

Woddy Harrelson
features as the main antagonist of the film – serial killer Cletus Kasady who
hosts the alien symbiote Carnage, who was introduced in a last-minute cameo in
the 2018 film. Actors Michelle Williams, Reid Scott and Naomine Harris are also
in the cast.