Sharjah24 – Reuters: Londoners braved the chill on Thursday for an outdoor cinema screening with a touch of Hollywood sparkle: a red carpet for the screening of "Wonder Woman 1984".

An action spectacle starring Gal Gadot, "Wonder Woman 1984" had originally been scheduled to reach cinemas in June 2020.

But Hollywood studios delayed most of their summer blockbusters until 2021 as the virus has kept many theaters in key markets closed, devastating theater operators including AMC Entertainment and Cineworld Group.

"Wonder Woman 1984" was moved several times and is the last big-budget action film on the 2020 schedule.

For actor Lilly Aspell, who plays the younger version of Gardot's character in the film, the opening of London's outdoor "Hideaway Cinema" marked the first red carpet she had ever been on.

Across England, Wales and parts of Scotland, indoor entertainment venues were welcoming back audiences from May 17 after several months of closure, albeit operating at 50 percent capacity, with social distancing and other safety measures in place.

"Hideaway Cinema" CEO Jack Denman said he saw a gap in the market for outdoor cinemas offering current box office releases to an audience still nervous about COVID-19.