Tom Hanks Film “Charlie Wilson’s War” To Be Released Early

Universal Pictures has decided to go to war a few days early this holiday season. “Charlie Wilson’s War” (Tom Hanks’ “Charlie Wilson’s Warâ€Â? Poster and Trailer) will be released to more than 2000 screens on December 21 instead of the original release date of Christmas Day.

As an explanation for making the move the studio said “people are really enjoying the movie,” and there was “no reason ” not to take advantage of an earlier release slot.

“Charlie Wilson’s War” is a drama based on a true story. The story is based on Democratic Texas Congressman Charles Wilson, who conspired with a rogue CIA operative named Gust Avrakotos to launch an operation to help the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The film is based on a 2003 book of the same title by George Crile. The film is directed by Mike Nichols and stars Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

“Charlie” won’t be the only movie released on that day. In fact, it will be facing some stiff competition. Also being released on December 21 is “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (“National Treasure: Book Of Secretsâ€Â? Poster and Trailer), “P.S., I l Love You,” “Sweeney Todd” (“Sweeney Toddâ€Â? Poster and Trailer), and the comedy “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” (“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Storyâ€Â? Poster and Trailer).

Christmas Day will see a new batch of films released that include “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” (“Aliens vs. Predator: Requiemâ€Â? Poster and Trailer), “The Great Debaters,” and “The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep.”

With Christmas landing on a Tuesday this year, the studios are hoping the period could be especially lucrative as they will have what amounts to two consecutive five day moviegoing weekends with school holidays allowing midweek ticket sales to remain strong. The last two times Christmas fell on a Tuesday was 2001 and 1990.