We haven't heard much about Gus Van Sant's Promised Land since it went into production this past April.  Matt Damon was originally set to make his directorial debut on the flick, before his busy schedule prompted the actor to hand the reigns over to his Good Will Hunting director.  Damon co-wrote the screenplay with John Krasinski, and the plot is described as "Capra-esque."  The story focuses on a duo of corporate salesmen (Damon and Frances McDormand) who try to prey on an economic town in decline only to have their mission complicated by the citizens they encounter.  According to Deadline, Focus Features will release the film in an exclusive engagement in New York and Los Angeles on December 28th in order to qualify for awards consideration.  The movie, which also stars Krasinski, Rosemarie DeWitt, Hal Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, and Titus Welliver, will then expand in January.

Hit the jump for release dates for upcoming DreamWorks Animation films.

Before moving on to the DreamWorks dates, here's the official synopsis for Promised Land:

Mr. Damon plays Steve Butler, a corporate salesman who arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason (Ms. McDormand). With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company’s offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Mr. Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (Mr. Krasinski) who counters Steve both personally and professionally.

Moving on to DreamWorks Animation, which earlier this week signed into a five-year distribution deal with 20th Century Fox, has announced dates for three of its upcoming pictures.  The studio has shifted their adaptation of Mr. Peabody and Sherman from March 14, 2014 up to November 8, 2013.  The March 14, 2014 date will now go to Me and My Shadow, a 3D CGI and 2D hand-drawn tale of a timid man (voiced by Josh Gad) and his shadow (Bill Hader).  The studio has also set November 6, 2015 as a release date for an untitled picture.  Perhaps a sequel or maybe a movie based on a property from their recent acquisition of Classic Media?

There's currently no competition for their untitled picture, but Me and My Shadow will now square off the Angelina Jolie film, Maleficent.  As forMr. Peabody and Sherman, it will now share its weekend with Thor: The Dark World and One Direction Concert Movie [Box Office Mojo]

me and my shadow poster