By Casey Combs|Staff writerThe current outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has already swept the nation with increasing impacts on business and travel sectors and is now creating serious repercussions in the film industry.The Walt Disney Company has already decided to delay the live-action remake of “Mulan," which was originally set for theatrical release on March 27. The studio also delayed the releases of “The New Mutants” and “Antlers” indefinitely as they await news of possible mandatory theater closures, according to Variety.On March 12, John Krasinski, director of “A Quiet Place Part II”, announced via Twitter that the film would also be getting a new release date. “As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie… I’m gonna wait to release the film till we CAN see it all together," he wrote.In addition to theatrical release delays, production on “Mission: Impossible 7” has halted, with more production halts likely being announced soon, according to Hollywood Reporter. The film is the newest installment in the popular franchise.The announcements of these delays come in the wake of news that actor Tom Hanks and his wife Rita have tested positive for COVID-19 while filming a new film in Australia. Hanks took to twitter on March 11 to inform fans, saying, “We’ll keep the world posted and updated.”The Los Angeles Times reports that analysts are still trying to predict how the production and release delays, along with risk of infection, will financially affect film companies. The continuing closures will likely cause a ripple-effect in the lives of both fans and studio employees. Contact Casey Combs at CACOMBS@augusta.edu