▲ This photo, provided by Megabox Plus M, shows the poster of the movie "Kingmaker" (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (YONHAP)

SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Yonhap) -- "Kingmaker," one of the most anticipated films this year-end, will postpone its release to next year.

The film will put off the release following new films such as "Emergency Declaration" due to the strengthened pandemic measures against the Omicron variant.

"We decided to postpone the release of 'Kingmaker,' a film set to hit screens on Dec. 29, to the New Year’s holidays next January,” said studio Megabox Plus M.

"We prepared the release for Dec. 29, expecting the movie theaters to return to normal amid eased virus controls. Yet, we considered the strengthened pandemic protections and decided to change the release date," explained the studio.

The upcoming election movie "Kingmaker" had just finished its press screening on Dec. 13, and arranged interviews for the leading actors Seol Kyung-gu and Lee Sun-kyun.

However, with the government indicating new social distancing measures, they canceled their interviews and were uncertain about their release date.

Local movie theaters that opened 24 hours before the pandemic must now operate until 10 p.m. from Dec. 18, due to social distancing measures.

New movies scheduled for release on the year-end and new year, are postponing their release one after another.

The film “Emergency Declaration,” including the star-studded cast Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Jeon Do-yeon, Yim Si-wan, and Kim Nam-gil, announced to postpone its release, on Dec. 15.

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