Director JJ Abrams remarked yesterday on how the December 2015 release date for the next Star Wars film was a huge improvement to his schedule. It was also a huge improvement to anyone fearing a blockbuster fatigue, because the American summer box office will be crowded with capes, Avengers and orphaned crime punchers during that season.
One group of films not happy with that release date shift? Everyone else who happens to be banking on raking in some yuletide bucks that month. Which is most likely why Warcraft and a few other movies are delaying themselves into 2016.
Director Duncan Jones’ Warcraft will be passing on the original release date of December 18, 2015, and will instead release on March 11, 2016. But it’s not the only film arriving later. Universal will also be shifting their upcoming The Mummy movie to April 16 2016, which will feature Andres “Mama” Muschietti in the director’s chair.
From a fanboy perspective, it’s sad to see certain films get delayed. But from a financial perspective, it does make sense. Star Wars has such a legacy, that it’s impossible not to bet good money that it will do some damn good business on its opening weekend, taking a sizable bite out of any other film debuting that month.
Last Updated: November 28, 2013
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
November 28, 2013 at 10:08
Universal*
I never really believe release dates for anything anymore. Things just get moved around so much. Although, to be honest, I’m not expecting much from WoW.
Sageville
November 28, 2013 at 10:16
People still play wow?
Brian Murphy
November 28, 2013 at 10:20
Oh yeah, there’re still millions of active users. It’s not the 14 mil it once was, but it’s still making an absurd amount of money for Blizzard.
I’m not even remotely sold on making a movie though, sounds like a direct to dvd affair.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 28, 2013 at 11:06
Like the D&D movies? Funnily enough I actually liked the 3rd one.