Universal Pictures has rescheduled the release dates of two of its most anticipated films. F9 from the Fast and Furious franchise and Minions: The Rise of Gru have received a push on their release date. F9 that stars Vin Diesel reprising his role of Dominic Toretto will release on June 25, 2021 whereas the fifth installment in the Despicable Me franchise is now set to release theatrically on July 1, 2022.

The delays seem surprising as the new Biden administration is on track to get enough COVID-19 vaccine doses for ‘every adult American’ by the end of May. At the same time, theatres in New York City have been approved to reopen at limited capacity.

The family returns June 25. Only in theaters. #F9 pic.twitter.com/D9klpcvHDk

— #F9 (@TheFastSaga) March 4, 2021

RECOMMENDED READ: Golden Globes 2021: Chadwick Boseman’s wife Taylor Simone Ledward gives an emotional speech at his posthumous Best Actor win for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Reportedly, Universal has been weighing several release date options for F9 including the holiday season or next year. However, there has been only slight delay in the release date as Hollywood is hopeful for a surge in ticket sales looking at the Chinese market that fielded several blockbusters in recent months.

“Minions: The Rise of Gru” is moving to July 1, 2022.

Yeah, we’re bummed too.

Butt it’ll be worth the wait. We promise. pic.twitter.com/Yr6kNnWy6W

— #Minions (@Minions) March 4, 2021

F9 also stars Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, John Cena, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, and Charlize Theron. Minions: The Rise of Gru stars Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin.

(Source: Twitter)