`It's become clear that nothing can be set in stone,` studio says in statement

As COVID-19 infections continue to surge in U.S. states, Disney announced on Thursday that it is indefinitely postponing the release of Niki Caro's remake of `Mulan,` effectively ending hopes of salvaging the summer blockbuster season.

In addition, all scheduled `Avatar` sequels and `Star Wars` films have been delayed one year, and other films set to be released by Disney, 20th Century Studios and Searchlight in September and October have also been pushed back, including Wes Anderson's `The French Dispatch,` which Searchlight has now indefinitely postponed.

Other films moved include 20th Century's `The Empty Man,` which moves from August 7 to December 4; Ridley Scott's `The Last Duel,` which moves from a Christmas Day limited release to October 15, 2021; and Searchlight's `The Personal History of David Copperfield,` which now gets a limited release on August 28.

James Cameron released a statement to Twitter explaining the delay of the `Avatar` films, saying that though some live-action filming is proceeding in New Zealand, the virtual production work on stages in Los Angeles makes it impossible for the team to make its December 2021 release date.

`That work is just as critical to the films as the live action work,` Cameron wrote. `There is no one more disappointed about this delay than me.`

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Sorry, #Mulan fans. Disney has delayed the adventure epic indefinitely and pushed back #StarWars and #Avatar a year. Head to link in bio for more notable changes to the company's release calendar.

A post shared by Hollywood Reporter (@hollywoodreporter) on Jul 23, 2020 at 2:35pm PDT

The shift of `Mulan` off the release slate follows the move of `Tenet` by Warner Bros. on Monday. That film along with `Mulan` were both meant to be blockbusters among the first to return to movie theaters in the late summer that could help spur audiences back to theater chains, all of which mostly remain closed. AMC in particular has pushed back its phased opening until mid-August as it awaits other Hollywood product that can lure audiences back.