Release date speculation?

Okay, let me preface this: Assuming Ben Affleck or whoever ends up getting the gig, and this thing moves forward with casting and such. And when and if it starts filming, which date(s) do you think WB will opt for?

I think if WB gets going on this film, it's a likely June or July 2015 release. The studio has had luck with mid-July releases starting with 2007 onwards (even though Fox stole their 2014 spot)... so July 17, 2015 or July 24th is a likely date.

But considering Avengers 2 hits May 1st, perhaps WB will opt for something earlier. WB, Lionsgate and Disney have had some luck opening big tentpoles in early to mid-March like The Hunger Games, Alice in Wonderland and 300. So maybe a March 6th or March 20th release could be in the cards as well. Or if production starts early enough, maybe a fourth-quarter 2014 release? Paramount and Fox have had big success with big-budget tentpoles in mid-December.

Thoughts? I know it seems a bit early, but WB may want to throw down the gauntlet as well and stake their claim as Disney and Lionsgate have already laid their claim on prime 2014/2015 spots for Avengers and HG sequels.

 

The 2015 equivalent to is July 17. Here's a list of potential dates WB could use for 2015:

March 20
July 10
July 17
July 24
December 18
December 25

 

Jamie and Showtime can both confirm that WB was indeed considering MOS for a December 2012 release. The fact shows that this spread like wildfire (albeit mostly with 'rumor mill' labeling), and WB was ticked that this let out. So they had to release a statement confirming Hobbit 1 was staying in its December 14, 2012 spot, but not confirming whether MOS would stay in June 2013.

 

Cameron is taking his sweet time getting these Avatar sequels off the ground. If he's still writing and mapping out the scripts by next year, Avatar 2 won't be ready by December 2015 with the extensive post-production process.

And I noticed today Dreamworks Animation and Fox have already mapped out their roster of releases well up through mid-2016. Mumbai Musical seems to be slotted in that mid-December 2015 spot.

If WB wants to nab a prime 2015 or 2016 spot, they need to get their director in place and mark that release date.

 

I think so, but WB needs to get a move on and get the date set before their rivals swoop in and claim March or July 2015 for themselves. They also need to firm up their 2014 slate too, with Lego and Hobbit 3 the only ones having release dates.

 

I think when WB firms up the final director for JL (which will be in a few more months), they will announce a release date shortly after.

 

Because the studios have booked all the good 2014 spots for March, May, June, July, and August. There are still some good dates for November and December, though.

And studios want to stake their claim, and they're doing it earlier to ensure the best position for their films to thrive.

 

I notice WB is starting to firm up more upcoming releases -- their long-gestating Godzilla reboot will hit May 16, 2014 and the Jersey Boys musical will hit Christmas 2013.

I expect WB to announce more 2014 dates tomorrow... maybe even one for JL for a fourth-quarter 2014 or summer 2015 date while they're at it?