Release Dates Scheduled for World War Z, Smurfs 2 and The Darkest Hour
Posted 08.10.11 by Ryan
Paramount has finally announced a release date for their adaptation of World War Z.
According to Box Office Mojo, World War Z will open on December 21, 2012, putting the zombie disaster movie opposite some heavy competition, including Disney's adaptation of The Lone Ranger (starring Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer as Tonto and the Lone Ranger, respectively) and Fox's fantasy adventure Life of Pi, directed by Ang Lee.
Based on Max Brooks' best-selling novel, World War Z is currently
in production in the U.K. under the direction of Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) with almost daily set photos cropping up around the Internet. The latest batch of "spy" pics depict Brad Pitt, who plays a U.N. researcher in the movie, on board a battleship with his on-screen children. The last set revealed that Matthew Fox was, in fact, a member of the cast.
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Though it was roundly disliked by critics, The Smurfs has been the #2 movie in America for two weeks straight — narrowly losing out to Cowboys and Aliens in its opening weekend, and maintaining that position behind Rise of the Planet of the Apes last weekend. In two weeks, The Smurfs has grossed $131 million worldwide, earning back its budget. That's enough for Sony to order up a Smurfs 2, which will open on August 2, 2013.
No word on whether director Raja Gosnell, or the human cast members — Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays and Hank Azaria as Gargamel — will return either.
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Meanwhile, Summit Entertainment has rescheduled the Moscow-set alien invasion movie, The Darkest Hour. Initially set for a December 23 release, Summit wants to save the movie for Christmas instead (December 25).
Produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Day Watch, and Night Watch) and directed by Chris Gorak (Right at Your Door), The Darkest Hour follows a group of young people, led by Emile Hirsch (Speed Racer), who must tackle invisible aliens in Moscow. The first trailer for the movie was released just last week.