Paramount Pictures is delaying plans for a three-week shoot of Tom Cruise’s “Mission: Impossible 7” in Venice, Italy, over fears of the spreading coronavirus outbreak there. At least 7 people are confirmed dead of COVID-19 in Italy, which reported its first case less than one week ago.
The studio issued an announcement Monday citing a message from the Venetian government advising that all public gatherings must be halted.
“Out of an abundance of caution for the safety and well-being of our cast and crew, and efforts of the local Venetian government to halt public gatherings in response to the threat of coronavirus, we are altering the production plan for our three week shoot in Venice, the scheduled first leg of an extensive production for ‘Mission: Impossible 7,’” Paramount said. “During this hiatus we want to be mindful of the concerns of the crew and are allowing them to return home until production starts. We will continue to monitor this situation, and work alongside health and government officials as it evolves.”
From Variety:
Also on Monday, Paramount announced that it would delay the release of its “Sonic the Hedgehog” in China due to the coronavirus. “Sonic will only be slowing down his pace temporarily, and we look forward to bringing him zooming onto the big screen in China once it is appropriate to do so,” it said in a statement.
Read more at Variety:‘Mission: Impossible 7’s’ Italy Shoot Delayed Due to Coronavirus