Universal certainly has an ambitious film on their hands with the samurai pic 47 Ronin, but it was announced today that they’ve decided to move the pic off of its pre-Thanksgiving release date. Previously slated to open on November 11th, 47 Ronin will now be released on February 8th, 2013 (per Box Office Mojo). Directed by Carl Rinsch, the 3D film stars Keanu Reeves and centers on a troupe of banished samurai who long to restore their honor and find vengeance against the treacherous Lord Kira (played by Tadanobu Asano) who was responsible for the death of their master. We recently brought you a look at a fire-infused promo poster for the film from CinemaCon, which you can check out right here.
The release date change actually makes sense. The November date had the action-centered film going up against Alfonso Cuaron’s highly anticipated sci-fi pic Gravity, and opening two weeks before The Hobbit and Les Miserables. In February, 47 Ronin has a showdown with the Nicholas Sparks adaptation Safe Haven. I don’t really see much cross-pollination happening between the audiences for 47 Ronin and a Nicholas Sparks movie…
Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood, James Buckley, and Director Fredrik Bond Talk THE NECESSARY DEATH OF CHARLIE COUNTRYMAN at Sundance 2013
Dave Grohl Talks SOUND CITY, the Past and Future of the Music Industry, the Possibility of a Sound City Players Tour, and More at Sundance
New Promo Posters for 47 RONIN Starring Keanu Reeves
New Trailer for AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD Season 3.5
First Trailer and Poster for OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN Starring Gerard Butler and Aaron Eckhart
I think the late winter/early spring release dates for action movies or certain comedies make sense. Thanksgiving through Christmas is better suited for family films (and some blockbusters) and the summer is Tentpole Time. There’s no reason to try and compete with franchises like Harry Potter or The Avengers just to release your movie around a holiday.
Keanu Reeves looks a little bit like Snape in that photo.