CinemaCon in Las Vegas is in full swing as we speak. Is it the new Comic-Con? Discuss.
Meanwhile, Vin Diesel just announced the new summer 2017 release date of the next “Fast & Furious” film (“Furious 8?”). No shocker there, the movie is already at $1.2 billion in three weeks— it’s the sixth highest grossing film of all time and still rising (sorry "Iron Man 3," you’ve been surpassed). Dates for both ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey” sequels have been announced and now Universal has revealed even more. Perhaps the most notable shift is “Warcraft” by Duncan Jones, which has now had three different release dates. And while this usually isn’t a good sign, the film’s release date was bumped to avoid “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” this December, which is understandable. Now the movie is getting a stronger vote of confidence: Uni is dropping it into the heart of the summer, but at the same time it’s leaving its current date because it does not have a prayer going up against "Batman V. Superman" (which would have hit the following weekend. Instead, “Warcraft” will now go up against Warner Bros.’ “The Conjuring 2,” Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me 2” and Sony’s “Uncharted” —it seems like four would-be tentpole-like wide releases in one weekend is too much, so expect one of those films to eventually vacate that spot.
Tom Cruise’s drug-running thriller “Mena” hasn’t been dealt the greatest bow in the world: while it hasn’t begun shooting, it’s scheduled to be released this coming January. “The Mummy,” Universal’s first film in its emerging, interconnected "Monsters" universe, has been bumped from summer 2016 to March 2017. And Guillermo Del Toro’s “Pacific Rim 2” is being moved from a date in spring 2017 to later that summer (the same weekend “Guardians Of The Galaxy” took off in 2014).
Uni has also announced an untitled Monster Franchise Film in March of 2018, but haven’t said which monster it would be. Boo Berry? Any guesses? Films below with old and new dates.
Legendary’s WARCRAFT, released in 3D by Universal Pictures, will move from March 11, 2016, to Friday, June 10, 2016.
Universal Pictures’ MENA will be released on Friday, January 6, 2017.
Universal Pictures’ FIFTY SHADES DARKER will be released on Friday, February 10, 2017.
Universal Pictures’ THE MUMMY will move from June 24, 2016, to Friday, March 24, 2017.
The new chapter in Universal Pictures’ FAST & FURIOUS saga will be released on Friday, April 14, 2017.
Legendary’s PACIFIC RIM 2 will move from April 7, 2017, to Friday, August 4, 2017. It will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures.
Universal Pictures’ FIFTY SHADES FREED will be released on Friday, February 9, 2018.
Universal Pictures’ UNTITLED UNIVERSAL MONSTER FRANCHISE FILM will move fromApril 21, 2017, to Friday, March 30, 2018.