Studios shuffle 2009 summer sked
The dating game for movies is more popular than ever as distributors comb the release calendar to check for openings and survey the competition.
Last week, Disney and Jerry Bruckheimer announced they were pushing back the release of fantasy actioner “Prince of Persia” — a potential franchise along the lines of “Pirates of the Caribbean” — by nearly a year, from June 19 to Memorial Day 2010.
Looking to provide some counterprogramming and appeal to females, Disney simultaneously moved Sandra Bullock-Ryan Reynolds romantic comedy “The Proposal” into the June 19 slot.
The Mouse House still had the date to itself — for all of 24 hours.
Taking advantage of “Prince of Persia’s” relocation, Fox quickly swooped in and claimed June 19 for Dwayne Johnson family comedy “The Tooth Fairy.” The time period is coveted since kids are out of school.
Earlier this week, a third comedy, Sony’s Judd Apatow-produced “Year One,” planted its flag on the same date. Laffer is being directed by Harold Ramis and toplines Jack Black and Michael Cera.
- from Variety