Universal and Relativity are locked in a heated battle over releasing Snow White movies that no one really cares about. Relativity's Untitled Snow White Project (directed by Tarsem Singh and starring Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, and Julia Roberts) was originally set for June 29, 2012 Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman (directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron) was originally set for December 21, 2012. To beat Relativity to the box office, Universal moved their film up to June 1, 2012. So what could Relativity possible do? The studio has sent out a press release announcing they'll move their Snow White up to March 16, 2012. I imagine Universal will respond by breaking the space-time continuum and they'll release Snow White and the Huntsman yesterday.

On March 16, 2012, Relativity's Snow White will now face off against 21 Jump Street starring Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum, and the crime-thriller Contraband starring Mark Wahlberg and Kate Beckinsale. This announcement is also the perfect opportunity for you to read Brendan's new column about the game of chicken Universal and Relativity are playing out. Brendan stated that it was inadvisable for Relativity to move up their film, and I wholeheartedly agree. Hit the jump for Relativity's press release which also provides release dates for the adaptation of Nicolas Sparks' Safe Haven and Phillip Noyce's submarine thriller Hunter Killer.

snow-white-image
Image via Disney

Here's the press release:

Relativity Builds 2012 Slate

Studio Moves Untitled Snow White Project, Dates Safe Haven and Hunter Killer

(Beverly Hills, CA) May 24, 2011 – Relativity Media announced today release dates for three films on its 2012 slate. Previously dated for June 29, 2012, Relativity’s Untitled Snow White Project, directed by Tarsem Singh (Immortals), will now release on March 16, 2012. Safe Haven, based on Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel, will release on June 1, 2012. Hunter Killer, directed by Phillip Noyce (Salt), will release on December 21, 2012.

In Relativity's Untitled Snow White Project, starring Oscar®-winner Julia Roberts and breakout star Lilly Collins (The Blind Side), an evil Queen (Roberts) steals control of a kingdom, and an exiled princess (Collins) enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright in a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance, and betrayal that will capture the imagination of audiences the world over. The film also stars Armie Hammer (The Social Network) as the object of their affection, Prince Andrew Alcott, and Nathan Lane (The Birdcage) as the hapless and bungling servant to the Queen. The film will begin production in June 2011.

Safe Haven, based on the latest novel from best-selling author Nicholas Sparks, whose books have been made into the hit films The Notebook, The Last Song, Nights in Rodanthe and Dear John, is a gripping love story infused with suspense and discovery. When a young woman escaping her past moves to a small North Carolina town, and falls for a loving widowed father, he heals her heart, and helps her escape the danger that threatens her. The film starts shooting this summer.

Relativity’s Hunter Killer follows an untested submarine captain who must work with a Navy SEAL team to rescue the Russian president, who has been taken prisoner during a military coup, in an effort to stop a rogue Russian General from igniting World War III. The film heads into production this summer.

Relativity’s previously announced 2012 slate includes House at the End of the Street on February 3, 2012, followed by its Untitled Raven Project on March 9, 2012 and then the Untitled Farrelly/Wessler Comedy on April 13, 2012.

Relativity currently has the box office hit Limitless in theaters. The studio recently had Golden Globe®-winner and seven-time Oscar®-nominee The Fighter in theatres, via Paramount Pictures, starring Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Melissa Leo and Amy Adams as well as Golden Globe®-winner and eight-time Oscar®-nominee The Social Network via its partnership with Sony Pictures. Looking ahead, Relativity will release David Ellis’ Shark Night 3D on September 2, 2011, followed by the highly-anticipated Immortals on November 11th, 2011, starring Henry Cavill, Stephen Dorff, Isabel Lucas, Freida Pinto, Luke Evans, Kellan Lutz with John Hurt and Mickey Rourke.