UPDATE 3: AMC Theaters is once again delaying reopening its U.S. cinemas due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, shifting from a late July reopening to mid-to-late August. "This new timing reflects currently expected release dates for much anticipated blockbusters like Warner Bros.' Tenet and Disney's Mulan, as well as release dates for several other new movies coming to AMC's big screens," AMC Theaters said in a statement released Thursday. UPDATE 2: AMC Theaters has pushed back its reopening date by two weeks due to the surge in new coronavirus cases. The theater chain giant will now reopen 450 of its 600 theaters on July 30 instead of July 15, according to Variety. That is, of course, unless COVID-19 numbers continue to spike. And when AMC Theaters does reopen, patrons will be required to wear face masks (see below). Our original report from June 19 follows. UPDATE: Following a public backlash, AMC Theaters has reversed course and will now require patrons to wear face masks once many of their theaters reopen July 15. The nation's leading theater chain had wished, as its CEO and President Adam Aron put it, to not to be “drawn into a political controversy" by requiring patrons wear face masks during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read their full statement below:

It is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. With the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. We now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres. pic.twitter.com/DxS9pTjwSi

— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) June 19, 2020

Our original report from June 18 follows. [poilib element="accentDivider"] AMC Theaters plans to reopen 450 cinemas in the US on July 15 -- and won’t require people to wear masks so as not to be “drawn into a political controversy." The reopening will be in time for major releases such as Mulan (July 24) and Tenet (July 31). The nation's leading theater chain had closed over 600 locations in March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. AMC CEO and President Adam Aron told Variety: “There were some jurisdictions in some states such as Georgia and Texas that allowed people to re-open theaters in mid-May. We opted to remain closed, so we could give the country time to get a better handle on coronavirus. We wanted to use this time to figure out how best to open and how to do so safely.” Included among those safety measures will be limited seating capacity, social distancing, new cleaning procedures, hand sanitizer stations, and, as the trade notes, AMC is also "encouraging contact-less and cash-free concessions." Will filmgoers be required to weak masks? According to AMC's new safety measures, employees are required to wear PPE such as face masks. As for patrons, "Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, available for purchase if desired. In some municipalities, guests will be required to wear masks." “We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” AMC boss Aron told Variety. “We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks. When I go to an AMC feature, I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/why-amc-is-banning-universal-movies-ign-now"] Other leading exhibition chains such as Regal and Cinemark are also reopening their theaters mid-July. Deeply in debt and recently downgraded by Wall Street analysts, AMC Theaters has suggested the pandemic could force it into bankruptcy. The chain also remains at war with Universal Pictures over the studio's willingness to put some of its movies -- including Trolls World Tour, The King of Staten Island, and You Should Have Left -- on premium VOD instead of delaying their theatrical release.

UPDATE 3: AMC Theaters is once again delaying reopening its U.S. cinemas due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, shifting from a late July reopening to mid-to-late August. "This new timing reflects currently expected release dates for much anticipated blockbusters like Warner Bros.' Tenet and Disney's Mulan, as well as release dates for several other new movies coming to AMC's big screens," AMC Theaters said in a statement released Thursday. UPDATE 2: AMC Theaters has pushed back its reopening date by two weeks due to the surge in new coronavirus cases. The theater chain giant will now reopen 450 of its 600 theaters on July 30 instead of July 15, according to Variety. That is, of course, unless COVID-19 numbers continue to spike. And when AMC Theaters does reopen, patrons will be required to wear face masks (see below). Our original report from June 19 follows. UPDATE: Following a public backlash, AMC Theaters has reversed course and will now require patrons to wear face masks once many of their theaters reopen July 15. The nation's leading theater chain had wished, as its CEO and President Adam Aron put it, to not to be “drawn into a political controversy" by requiring patrons wear face masks during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read their full statement below:

It is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. With the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. We now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres. pic.twitter.com/DxS9pTjwSi

— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) June 19, 2020

Our original report from June 18 follows. [poilib element="accentDivider"] AMC Theaters plans to reopen 450 cinemas in the US on July 15 -- and won’t require people to wear masks so as not to be “drawn into a political controversy." The reopening will be in time for major releases such as Mulan (July 24) and Tenet (July 31). The nation's leading theater chain had closed over 600 locations in March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. AMC CEO and President Adam Aron told Variety: “There were some jurisdictions in some states such as Georgia and Texas that allowed people to re-open theaters in mid-May. We opted to remain closed, so we could give the country time to get a better handle on coronavirus. We wanted to use this time to figure out how best to open and how to do so safely.” Included among those safety measures will be limited seating capacity, social distancing, new cleaning procedures, hand sanitizer stations, and, as the trade notes, AMC is also "encouraging contact-less and cash-free concessions." Will filmgoers be required to weak masks? According to AMC's new safety measures, employees are required to wear PPE such as face masks. As for patrons, "Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, available for purchase if desired. In some municipalities, guests will be required to wear masks." “We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy,” AMC boss Aron told Variety. “We thought it might be counterproductive if we forced mask wearing on those people who believe strongly that it is not necessary. We think that the vast majority of AMC guests will be wearing masks. When I go to an AMC feature, I will certainly be wearing a mask and leading by example.” [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/why-amc-is-banning-universal-movies-ign-now"] Other leading exhibition chains such as Regal and Cinemark are also reopening their theaters mid-July. Deeply in debt and recently downgraded by Wall Street analysts, AMC Theaters has suggested the pandemic could force it into bankruptcy. The chain also remains at war with Universal Pictures over the studio's willingness to put some of its movies -- including Trolls World Tour, The King of Staten Island, and You Should Have Left -- on premium VOD instead of delaying their theatrical release.

Dune cast member Oscar Isaac has revealed that the sci-fi epic is going back in front of cameras just a few months before it's scheduled to be released. Isaac informed Deadline that Dune will undergo additional filming in Hungary, one of the production's original shooting locations. “We’re going to do some additional shooting in mid August," Isaac revealed. "They’re saying in Budapest in Hungary.” Deadline claims the additional shooting will not affect the film's December 18th release date. It should be noted that reshoots and additional shooting are commonplace in major Hollywood productions and are generally planned into a production's schedule. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/15/dune-director-explains-why-his-adaptation-will-be-split-across-two-movies-ign-news] Isaac, who portrays Duke Leto Atreides in the Denis Villeneuve-directed adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic saga, praised the footage from Dune that he has seen and also downplayed the notion of the late-stage additional shooting. “I saw some things cut together and it just looks amazing. Denis is a real artist and it will be exciting to see it come together," Isaac said. "It’s kind of wild that we’re doing some additional shooting a few months before it’s supposed to come out, but that happened with Star Wars as well.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dune-how-the-movies-have-depicted-the-iconic-stillsuit-costume&captions=true"] Deadline adds that "Dune will shoot with extensive coronavirus safety measures in place." For more Dune coverage, learn what the director had to say about designing the sandworms, the upcoming Duke Leto prequel comic, what Jason Momoa said about his Han Solo-type character, and why David Lynch has zero interest in the Dune remake.

Dune cast member Oscar Isaac has revealed that the sci-fi epic is going back in front of cameras just a few months before it's scheduled to be released. Isaac informed Deadline that Dune will undergo additional filming in Hungary, one of the production's original shooting locations. “We’re going to do some additional shooting in mid August," Isaac revealed. "They’re saying in Budapest in Hungary.” Deadline claims the additional shooting will not affect the film's December 18th release date. It should be noted that reshoots and additional shooting are commonplace in major Hollywood productions and are generally planned into a production's schedule. [ignvideo width=610 height=374 url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/04/15/dune-director-explains-why-his-adaptation-will-be-split-across-two-movies-ign-news] Isaac, who portrays Duke Leto Atreides in the Denis Villeneuve-directed adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic saga, praised the footage from Dune that he has seen and also downplayed the notion of the late-stage additional shooting. “I saw some things cut together and it just looks amazing. Denis is a real artist and it will be exciting to see it come together," Isaac said. "It’s kind of wild that we’re doing some additional shooting a few months before it’s supposed to come out, but that happened with Star Wars as well.” [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=dune-how-the-movies-have-depicted-the-iconic-stillsuit-costume&captions=true"] Deadline adds that "Dune will shoot with extensive coronavirus safety measures in place." For more Dune coverage, learn what the director had to say about designing the sandworms, the upcoming Duke Leto prequel comic, what Jason Momoa said about his Han Solo-type character, and why David Lynch has zero interest in the Dune remake.

At EA Play Live, Electronic Arts announced seven games will be coming to the Nintendo Switch this year. The only games have EA confirmed are Burnout: Paradise and Apex Legends (which is also getting a Steam launch and cross-play support), but we'll likely see more announcements soon. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/apex-legends-season-5-lost-treasures-collection-event-trailer-ea-play-2020"] EA has, in the past, been criticized for not supporting the Nintendo Switch, releasing only ports of games like FIFA. But EA appears to be making an effort to get more of its games on Nintendo's hybrid console with this latest announcement. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

At EA Play Live, Electronic Arts announced seven games will be coming to the Nintendo Switch this year. The only games have EA confirmed are Burnout: Paradise and Apex Legends (which is also getting a Steam launch and cross-play support), but we'll likely see more announcements soon. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/apex-legends-season-5-lost-treasures-collection-event-trailer-ea-play-2020"] EA has, in the past, been criticized for not supporting the Nintendo Switch, releasing only ports of games like FIFA. But EA appears to be making an effort to get more of its games on Nintendo's hybrid console with this latest announcement. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

At EA Play Live, Electronic Arts confirmed that its biggest studios are all working on next-gen games including developers at BioWare, Criterion, DICE, and Motive. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/dragon-age-and-battlefield-tech-teaser-ea-play-2020"] Criterion previously announced that it's working on a next-gen entry for the Need for Speed series. Meanwhile, BioWare has announced work on a new Dragon Age game while DICE announced work on a new Battlefield. Both titles are likely slated for next-gen consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. EA shared a brief sizzle reel of games currently in development for next-gen consoles, including brief glimpses of the new Dragon Age. However, EA stopped short of sharing full trailers for any of its next-gen games aside from sports titles like Madden 21, which were previously announced. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ea-next-gen-games-teaser&captions=true"] "The future of EA studios is not just about new technology," said Laura Miele, Chief Studios Officer at EA. "It's about you. Your voices, your ideas. We want to be where you come to play – we want to make games for everyone." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

At EA Play Live, Electronic Arts confirmed that its biggest studios are all working on next-gen games including developers at BioWare, Criterion, DICE, and Motive. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/18/dragon-age-and-battlefield-tech-teaser-ea-play-2020"] Criterion previously announced that it's working on a next-gen entry for the Need for Speed series. Meanwhile, BioWare has announced work on a new Dragon Age game while DICE announced work on a new Battlefield. Both titles are likely slated for next-gen consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X. EA shared a brief sizzle reel of games currently in development for next-gen consoles, including brief glimpses of the new Dragon Age. However, EA stopped short of sharing full trailers for any of its next-gen games aside from sports titles like Madden 21, which were previously announced. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=ea-next-gen-games-teaser&captions=true"] "The future of EA studios is not just about new technology," said Laura Miele, Chief Studios Officer at EA. "It's about you. Your voices, your ideas. We want to be where you come to play – we want to make games for everyone." [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Cuz Parry and Deran Chung appeared on EA Play to announce that a new Skate is "really early" in development. The last Skate game, Skate 3, was released in 2010. Since then the series has gone dormant. Especially after developer EA Black Box was closed in April 2013. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/untitled-skate-game-announcement-trailer-ea-play-2020"] Skate remained a beloved, cult franchise and fans have asked EA for a new Skate game for years. And every year EA has kept mum on the series, until today. Skate series producer Chris "Cuz" Perry appeared in a video today during EA Play to announced that the studio is working on a new Skate game. Whether it's Skate 4, or if it will be titled something else was not announced at today's live show. Perry joked, "We really cannot believe you commented this into existence," referencing the social media campaign to get EA to develop a new Skate. For more news from today's EA Play Live show, including details about Star Wars: Squadrons, check out IGN. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.

Cuz Parry and Deran Chung appeared on EA Play to announce that a new Skate is "really early" in development. The last Skate game, Skate 3, was released in 2010. Since then the series has gone dormant. Especially after developer EA Black Box was closed in April 2013. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/06/19/untitled-skate-game-announcement-trailer-ea-play-2020"] Skate remained a beloved, cult franchise and fans have asked EA for a new Skate game for years. And every year EA has kept mum on the series, until today. Skate series producer Chris "Cuz" Perry appeared in a video today during EA Play to announced that the studio is working on a new Skate game. Whether it's Skate 4, or if it will be titled something else was not announced at today's live show. Perry joked, "We really cannot believe you commented this into existence," referencing the social media campaign to get EA to develop a new Skate. For more news from today's EA Play Live show, including details about Star Wars: Squadrons, check out IGN. [poilib element="accentDivider"] Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN.