In a most curious move, Warner Bros. has decided to move WRATH OF THE TITANS (aka CLASH OF THE TITANS 2) from its comfy MARCH 30, 2012 release date, pulling it up one week into the MARCH 23rd slot. Curious, because Lionsgate’s highly-anticipated HUNGER GAMES currently sits there, while there was no direct competition coming from the MARCH 30th spot.
So why the shift? As I reported back in December, when TITANS 2 first announced its release date, the positioning seemed perfect for the sequel, as its initial date more or less aligned with the APRIL 2 release of the first film – that opened to the tune of $61 million. Usually studios move their products away from competition, not align them next to it. Add to this the fact that April 2012 is currently rather dead, leaving a wide open field until May 4th’s AVENGERS opening.
I’m stumped here, folks. Warner Bros. can’t possibly think that TITANS 2 will be counter-programming for HUNGER GAMES, since the latter book series has a massive fanbase, one eager to check out the Gary Ross-directed movie when it arrives. Perhaps Warners is trying to get Lionsgate to blink and move to an altogether different season? Guess we’ll see if either blink in this stand-off.