Universal announced today that it will delay the release of The Bourne Legacy until August 10th. It was originally set to come out on August 3rd but would have had stiff competition from Total Recall, which is also opening that weekend. That also puts it a little farther away from The Dark Knight Rises which is released on July 20th (Side note: Who else has their TDKR tickets already?!).
Hearing a movie's release date was pushed always makes me slightly nervous, because, you know, why are they so nervous to put it up against another movie? However, the counter-programming of the Will Ferrell comedy The Campaign will put it in a very solid position if Total Recall happens to suck and not get a big holdover audience.
The Bourne franchise definitely has a challenge as it is going to have to get audiences into theaters without its original star Matt Damon. While the trailer looks pretty spectacular and Jeremy Renner has begun to make a nice name for himself (Hello, Hawkeye) it still has a lot to prove. However, I am pretty stoked to see if they can pull off creating a new "hero" of the franchise and I fully support this decision if it helps do that.
At first I was all ready to rage after reading the headline, but it's only pushed a week later so I'm fine with that.
It's probably for the best. Though it was very funny that Universal outright said it was because of TDKR in the press release. I imagine it was either Bourne or Total Recall that was going to move their date, and Universal moved first. Given the fact that Battleship, another Universal gem, was trounced by The Avengers most likely motivated the move too.
Also, I have my TDKR tickets, opening day in IMAX. Yay!
EDIT: Why they're afraid of Total Recall baffles me. It was received quite strongly at CinemaCon but that's most theatre exhibitors and some press, but I doubt the public excitement can be that high, can it? If it is, then I'll see Richter at the party.
Oh man I was worried there for a moment. Thought this might go the way of GI Joe 2.
I'm fine with this. The more I see of this movie the more I'm excited for this franchise to be reinvented.
I changed the headline, so as to not cause any more sudden anger :)
@RockinKemosabe: I don't think they are scared of Total Recall. Total Recall has the misfortune of opening two weeks after TDKR and one after Step Up AND The Watch. Movies opening in the weeks following a huge hit tend to disappoint no matter their budget (Battleship and The Mummy 3 both opened two weeks after a huge hit, and didn't do great). Furthermore, chances are that Step Up and The Watch will be able to muster some power on the second week.
The Bourne Legacy is a week later, which is better. If Total Recall disappoints, it's in good shape--Hope Springs is for a different audience and The Campaign has the problem of being a political comedy, which audiences don't generally like.
Is Total Recall going to be R??
@VioletEyedDragon: It'll probably be PG-13, especially if the $200 million budget is accurate...
That makes very relieved. I thought it was going to be pushed to next year, like G.I. Joe, but since it's only releasing a week later, I'm happy.
@RockinKemosabe said:
you're right that $200 million is a lot to spend on an R-rated film.
@RockinKemosabe: they just came out with announcement. as you predicted, it is PG-13.
@VioletEyedDragon: Honestly I'm fine with the movie being PG-13. Prometheus warranted an R rating given its subject matter and the legacy of its Alien heritage, but Total Recall isn't really I'd fight for an R rating for.
@RockinKemosabe said:
yeah, you're right. Sci-fi movies like Minority Report and Inception told cool, futuristic stories just fine with the PG-13.
(I honestly don't know why The Matrix was R. It seemed PG-13 to me).
@VioletEyedDragon: I would think The Matrix could get away with a PG-13 rating if it were rated now. 1999 was a different time I suppose.
@RockinKemosabe said:
yeah. the MPAA has cracked down on nudity and language, but violence they have (fortunately) eased up on.