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Universal Shifts Release Dates, R.I.P.D Converted To 3D

In a summer packed full of comic book adaptations, things are getting a little confusing with the ones that Universal’s putting out.

First off,  sources say that 2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, will move from its original August 16th spot two weeks ahead to August 2nd.  It puts 2 Guns in direct competition with 300: Rise of an Empire, prequel to Zack Snyder’s 300, and RED 2, sequel to the 2010 RED starring Bruce Willis.

Universal is also changing the release date of Jeff Wadlow’s Kick-Ass 2 from its original June 28th spot to 2 Guns original date of August 16th.  This puts Kick-Ass 2 against the big-budget sequel Percy Jackson:  Sea of Monsters.

Universal has also decided that R.I.P.D will now be in 3D, but retaining its release date of July 19th.  R.I.P.D stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds, based on the graphic novel by Peter M. Lenkov.

These moves raise many questions.  Movies becoming 3D last minute is normal for studios nowadays.  If anything it shows they have faith that this movie will be a profit for them.  However, switching the dates around Kick-Ass 2 and 2 Guns shows they may not have as much faith in either of the two.  Of course, they could assume that since Kick-Ass is an established property in movie form, it will have no problems going head to head with Percy Jackson. The fact that Percy Jackson is aimed at families while Kick-Ass 2 is most certainly not might also keep the two from competing directly.  But what about 2 Guns?  Although it has some powerhouse stars in Washington and Wahlberg, it looks like they are just tossing it aside, unless they actually think it can take out two highly anticipated sequels.  Time will tell if these odd moves will play out in Universal’s favor or not.

What are some of your theories on why these changes have occurred?

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Philip Suson