While everyone is still picking their jaws up off the floor from the latest round of “The Dark Knight Rises” casting, Disney has quietly gone ahead and shifted the release dates for two of their major 2012 tentpoles, and they’re making some bold moves.
First up, Andrew Stanton‘s ambitious live-action sci-fi film “John Carter of Mars” has moved from June 8, 2012 to March 9, 2012, where it will square off against Ridley Scott‘s “Prometheus.” Talk about major brass balls. The film boasts a pretty stellar cast including Taylor Kitsch, Samantha Morton, Dominic West, Polly Walker, Willem Dafoe, Lynn Collins, Bryan Cranston, Ciaran Hinds, James Purefoy, Thomas Haden Church, Mark Strong and Daryl Sabara, and is an adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs‘ “John Carter of Mars” series, about a Civil War soldier who is transported to Mars and embarks on alien adventures. It will be interesting to see which of these movies will blink first, but don’t be surprised if another move happens.
Meanwhile, Tim Burton‘s feature-length version of his short, “Frankenweenie,” abandons its March 9, 2012 date and moves all the way to October 5, 2012 where there is no competition. Yet. We presume the move is to give Tim Burton some breathing room as he’s gearing up to shoot “Dark Shadows” this spring and getting another film in the can right after is probably a Herculean task. So far, the voice cast of the animated film will include Winona Ryder, Martin Short, Martin Landau and Catherine O’Hara, but we’re sure Burton will figure out a way to get Helena Bonham Carter in there somewhere too. [Deadline]
I agree with with Greg. I too have never heard of John Carter ever. And I consider myself a historian of the industry. If the title is not catchy, or a title that people have heard of. Good chance it will not be a box office hit. On the other hand, I too have heard of Sinbad Rogue of Mars. I use to go see Sinbad films with my dad as a boy. I am excited to now have the opportunity to take my son to see Sinbad Rogue of Mars. The title is sexy, and it will draw audiences surely.
I have never heard of John Carter until now, but it does sound like a fun and interesting movie. There is also another movie that sounds similar to it. Its called Sinbad Rogue of Mars. Sinbad is a Persian sailor hero that ends up in Mars. Classic Sinbad films always had interesting creaturres in them that captivated audiences. I have no doubt that these two movies will be going head to head in the box office. Let see who will come out on top. My money is on Sinbad because of there past history and pedigree.
So I guess I should expect to read about \”Prometheus\” switching release dates soon huh.