Warner Bros. has staked out a July 1, 2016 release date for its big-budget adaptation of Tarzan, in 3D no less. The film has been in development for over a year and at one point was put on hold due to budget concerns, but it’s been picking up steam once again over the past few months. David Yates is onboard to direct, making this his first feature since helming the final four Harry Potter films back-to-back, and True Blood actor Alexander Skarsgard is set in the titular role as Tarzan. Margot Robbie—who shined as the female lead in The Wolf of Wall Street—will make the leap to franchise films playing Jane, and Samuel L. Jackson and Christoph Waltz are confirmed to co-star.
Currently, Independence Day 2 is also scheduled to open on that 4th of July weekend in 2016 alongside the Angry Birds movie, but either ID4 or Tarzan will likely shift to another weekend to avoid cannibalizing each other. With this new date for Tarzan, 2016 is shaping up to be a big year for Warner Bros., as the studio will also launch Batman vs. Superman in May. Read the full press release for Tarzan after the jump.
Here's the press release from Warner Bros.:
Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that the Studio has entered into pre-production on a new live-action 3D Tarzan action adventure, bringing Edgar Rice Burroughs’ legendary character back to the big screen. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures, also announced that the film has been slated to open domestically on July 1, 2016.
Alexander Skarsgård (HBO’s “True Blood”) has been set to star as the man who was orphaned as a baby and raised in the jungle, later to return to the urban jungle of London. The film also stars Oscar® nominee Samuel L. Jackson (“Pulp Fiction”); Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street”), as Jane Porter, who becomes the love of Tarzan’s life; and two-time Academy Award® winner Christoph Waltz (“Inglourious Basterds,” “Django Unchained”).
David Yates, who helmed the last four “Harry Potter” blockbusters, will direct the new feature from a screenplay based on the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Jerry Weintraub production, the film is being produced by Weintraub (“Behind the Candelabra,” the “Ocean’s” trilogy), together with David Barron and Alan Riche.
In making the announcement, Silverman said, “We have assembled a phenomenal international cast to tell this extraordinary story. Warner Bros. has also enjoyed long and successful collaborations with both David Yates and Jerry Weintraub, and we look forward to seeing what they and the entire team have in store for this timeless tale.”
Kroll added, “Tarzan has been an enduring and enigmatic figure in literature and cinema for more than a century. The adventures of a man who was torn between two worlds has entertained and intrigued people young and old, and we are excited to bring him to the screen for a new generation.”
Fellman stated, “This is a perfect entry for the summer movie season corridor, with a terrific combination of action, adventure, romance and suspense that is sure to appeal to a broad audience.”
Jerry Weintraub added, “I am so pleased to be reuniting with the team at Warner Bros. on this thrilling project. David Yates and I are going to be using the best of today’s technology in creating this new adventure, and we can’t wait to get started.”