Release Date Round-Up: ‘Anna Karenina’ and ‘Gambit’ Get Moved, ‘Runner Runner’ and ‘This Must Be the Place’ Get Dated, Plus More
Hello, and welcome to Friday afternoon in Hollywood. With the better part of the industry coasting along on nothing but the fumes of Frappucinos to get to the weekend, there’s nothing left to report but the thrills and chills of release date shuffles. But we here at FSR won’t rest until you have all the news you could possibly need to get you through the weekend ‐ we’re working for the week,man -so let’s all get hip to the latest release date movements by way of our handy Release Date Round-Up form (easy to understand and to digest, yum yum).
After the break, get the latest release dates for Anna Karenina, Trouble With the Curve, This Must Be the Place, Runner Runner, Seven Psychopaths, and that Gambit remake no one wanted.
Anna Karenina
The release date: Focus Features has moved director Joe Wright and star Keira Knightley’s latest collaboration to November 16.
Previous date: November 9.
Why? With Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln slipping into Anna Karenina’s previous release date, it looks as if Focus (wisely) moved their period film out of the way of the historical drama, though Lincoln will expand on the 16th as well. Also, wow, that’s some cool counter-programming for cinephiles that might not be into the final Twilight film, also opening on the 16th.
Currently slated for that date? The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ‐ Part Two (uh oh!) and Rust and Bone.
What it means: Nothing to worry about here, just some wise shuffling and a smart mini-move.
Trouble With the Curve
The release date: Warner Bros. has moved its Clint Eastwood– and Amy Adams-starring baseball/family drama up to September 21.
Previous date: September 28.
Why? Probably to get some heat back on to the project, which no one seems to be talking about, despite its solid cast. The move also takes the film away from other 28th openers like Hotel Transylvania, Looper, and Won’t Back Down. Though not obvious competition, Hotel could have occupied families that might have otherwise left the kids at home for an adult film, and Won’t Back Down is also looking for the grown-up dollar. Also, the move puts it against films that aren’t pure dramas like this one. Nice counter-programming for anyone not into Dredd or End of Watch.
Currently slated for that date? Dredd, End of Watch, and House at the End of the Street. See? That date needed some drama.
What it means:
This Must Be The Place
The release date: While the film has already opened around the world, The Weinstein Company has finally scheduled their Sean Penn-starrer for November 2.
Previous date: None, despite playing round the world and at a ton of festivals.
Why? The seemingly misunderstood Paolo Sorrentino film about an aging rocker trying to exact revenge on a Nazi (yes, really) needed a home, especially considering over a year ago at Cannes, with release dates across the world steadily rolling out ever since.
Currently slated for that date? Flight, The Man with the Iron Fists, Wreck-It Ralph, and Jack and Diane.
What it means: Let’s not mince words here ‐ there’s no “good” release date for this film, but placing it against more action-heavy stuff, a kid film, and a lesbian werewolf romance might give it a chance to capture the “what the hell” box office dollar.
Runner Runner
The release date: September 27, 2013.
Previous date: None.
Why? Fox needed to date their Justin Timberlake ‐ and Ben Affleck-starring offshore betting thriller.
Currently slated for that date? Paranoia.
What it means: Put this thing anywhere, I’ll see it. An early fall date means that audiences are still jacked up on summer fun but ready to see something with a bit more bite. This could do the trick, and handily.
Seven Psychopaths
The release date: October 12.
Previous date: November 2.
Why? Don’t you want to see Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges follow-up, starring Woody Harrelson, Colin Farrell, Christopher Walken, Sam Rockwell, and Tom Waits in a crime thriller about oddballs, a stolen dog, and LA’s criminal underworld as soon as you possibly can? Yes? Right.
Currently slated for that date? Argo, Here Comes the Boom, Middle of Nowhere, Nobody Walks, and Atlas Shrugged Part 2.
What it means: Oh. Argo could capture moviegoers look for crime drama, and Middle of Nowhere and Nobody Walks could take the indie vote. However, the film will be coming off its TIFF premiere, and perhaps CBS Films is banking on good worth of mouth from Toronto to get butts into seats.
Gambit
The release date: “Winter 2013.”
Previous date: October 12.
Why? With Seven Psychopaths sliding into its old date, CBS Films needed to do some shuffling of its titles, and Seven definitely has more heat on it. Also, the Coen brothers-penned remake was once set to bow in January of 2013, so this is more of a pushback, rather than a full move. Unless “winter 2013” means November and December and, yes, that would be very bad indeed.
Currently slated for that date? Who knows! Who even knows when this thing is scheduled! Madness!
What it means: CBS has more faith in Seven Psychopaths. Hands down.
Which of these films are you most looking forward to seeing? [The Playlist, The Playlist, EW, Box Office Mojo]
