When Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince moved from November 21 of this year to summer of next year we knew that it would change the face of the fall release schedule. But I’m not sure anyone knew the ripple effects Harry Potter would leave in his wake. Almost the entire fall schedule has now been rearranged.
Today we find out from Variety that Fox has decided to push back the release of Baz Luhrman’s highly anticipated epic, Australia, to November 26 - Thanksgiving Weekend. It was originally scheduled to release on November 14. Fox says the move will allow Lurhman more time to finish the film, and, one assumes, they feel it would be a better release date.
However, competition on Thanksgiving Weekend is starting to get hot and heavy. The next Bond flick, Quantum Of Solace, will now be released on November 14. We’ve already reported that Twilight and Disney’s Bolt moved to November 21. Now Variety is reporting that Australia will also be going head to head with the adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road as well as the adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s The Time Traveler’s Wife.
All of my previous information had The Time Traveler’s Wife coming out on Christmas Day so I’m not sure when that film was moved, however, Variety is usually correct so I’m assuming it is this time as well. I think this is awful release scheduling on the parts of the studios. I mean, Australia, The Road, and The Time Traveler’s Wife are all going to appeal to the same audience in many ways. Granted they have major differences in story and plot, but it’s going to be especially hard to get each film noticed in such a heavily contested weekend. It’s just crazy.
We’ll try to get a full release schedule and get our calendar updated as quickly as possible with all the new dates. Until then, keep your eyes open here on the site for new release information as it happens.
I'd like the Time Traveler's Wife to come out earlier… I'm totally on board for that one.