edonline
09-23-2004, 12:54 PM
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=filmNews&storyID=6310469
Warner Bros. Delays Release of 'Alexander'
Wed Sep 22, 2004 09:26 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Warner Bros. film studio has delayed the release of its widely anticipated Oliver Stone film "Alexander" by about three weeks, saying that it wanted to give the movie a better shot at winning Oscars.
The film, starring Colin Farrell as the conqueror Alexander the Great, had been set to debut on Nov. 5 against another major release, the computer-animated "The Incredibles." "Alexander" will now debut Nov. 24.
"We think that moving 'Alexander' to November 24th positions it better for Academy consideration," Warner Bros. president of domestic film distribution Dan Fellman said in a statement.
The date appears to be less competitive for box office dollars, too, as the debut of Pixar Animation Studios Inc.'s "The Incredibles" looks set to steal most of the marquee power on its opening weekend.
On Nov. 24 "Alexander," which Entertainment Weekly magazine reported cost as much as $150 million to make, faces comedies "Christmas with the Kranks" and "Beauty Shop," as well as adventure movie "Flight of the Phoenix."
"Alexander" will now debut the Wednesday before the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the United States, which should help boost its box office. Warner Bros. is owned by Time Warner Inc. .
One source told Reuters recently that director Stone was working feverishly to finish the movie for Nov. 5, but that could not be confirmed.
Often movies are delayed for months while directors fine-tune films, and that can spell trouble in Hollywood. Such a scenario arose last year with The Walt Disney Co.'s "The Alamo," but that does not appear to be the case with "Alexander" because the delay is only a few weeks.
A Warner Bros. spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment.
Warner Bros. is expected to promote the film, its stars and director this year for Oscars, the U.S. film industry's top awards given out in February by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Warner Bros. Delays Release of 'Alexander'
Wed Sep 22, 2004 09:26 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Warner Bros. film studio has delayed the release of its widely anticipated Oliver Stone film "Alexander" by about three weeks, saying that it wanted to give the movie a better shot at winning Oscars.
The film, starring Colin Farrell as the conqueror Alexander the Great, had been set to debut on Nov. 5 against another major release, the computer-animated "The Incredibles." "Alexander" will now debut Nov. 24.
"We think that moving 'Alexander' to November 24th positions it better for Academy consideration," Warner Bros. president of domestic film distribution Dan Fellman said in a statement.
The date appears to be less competitive for box office dollars, too, as the debut of Pixar Animation Studios Inc.'s "The Incredibles" looks set to steal most of the marquee power on its opening weekend.
On Nov. 24 "Alexander," which Entertainment Weekly magazine reported cost as much as $150 million to make, faces comedies "Christmas with the Kranks" and "Beauty Shop," as well as adventure movie "Flight of the Phoenix."
"Alexander" will now debut the Wednesday before the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend in the United States, which should help boost its box office. Warner Bros. is owned by Time Warner Inc. .
One source told Reuters recently that director Stone was working feverishly to finish the movie for Nov. 5, but that could not be confirmed.
Often movies are delayed for months while directors fine-tune films, and that can spell trouble in Hollywood. Such a scenario arose last year with The Walt Disney Co.'s "The Alamo," but that does not appear to be the case with "Alexander" because the delay is only a few weeks.
A Warner Bros. spokeswoman was not immediately available to comment.
Warner Bros. is expected to promote the film, its stars and director this year for Oscars, the U.S. film industry's top awards given out in February by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.