It’s that time again, ladies and gentlemen. Next year’s releases are already being scheduled in an attempt to stake out some money-making territory, and Warner Bros. has some dates for you to mark down.
First up, James Wan’s demonology-horror film “The Conjuring” has had its release date pushed back from the dumping grounds of January to the plum summer date of July 19th. The film reunites Wan with his “Insidious” star Patrick Wilson, and brings in Vera Farmiga opposite Wan as a married team of demonologists and psychics who encounter the most horrifying case of their career. If there’s anything these past couple of years have taught us, it’s that low-budget horror fare marketed aggressively can bring in the dough. “The Conjuring” will probably have a tougher time as it squares off against the Fox animated film “Turbo” and the Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges-led graphic novel adaptation “R.I.P.D.”
The Steve Carrell-led magician comedy “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone” will now open wide against the upcoming remake/re-imagining/whatever of “Carrie” and “21 And Over,” the directorial debut of “The Hangover” writers Jon Lucas and Scott More, on March 15th. Carrell plays an aging magician who’s losing his market share and publicity to Jim Carrey’s rival magician. Steve Buscemi, Alan Arkin and Olivia Wilde co-star.
After nearly a decade in development hell, the drug-smuggling comedy “We’re The Millers” now has a release date set for August 9th, up against the forthcoming “Robocop.” Jason Sudeikis plays a low-level pot dealer who decides to make one last big score, with Jennifer Aniston, Emma Roberts and Kathryn Hahn rounding out the cast.
Finally, the long-brewing Black List-approved “Prisoners” is scheduled to open on September 20th against Ron Howard’s Formula 1 action-thriller, “Rush.” While the latter film boasts Chris “Thor” Hemsworth as its star, the Denis Villeneuve (“Incendies”) -helmed film follows Hugh Jackman as a man out for revenge, with Jake Gyllenhaal, Melissa Leo and Paul Dano filling out the ensemble.