"Land of the Lost" moved up to June release
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Land of the Lost" has found a new release date: June 5.
Universal Pictures has moved the Will Ferrell family film from its July 17 slot, the latest switch in the wake of Warner Bros.' seismic decision to move "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" to that date from November 21.
Universal executives knew they would have to move their film -- which, like the "Potter" sequel, is an action fantasy laden with visual effects -- but their decision on a new date was complicated by myriad merchandising and other decisions.
Universal does seem to have gotten a nice summer slot for "Land" in the end, as no other films have yet been scheduled to open during the first weekend of June. One had been -- until Universal moved that as well as "Land."
Universal delayed its "Fast and Furious" -- previously titled "The Fast and the Furious 4" -- from June 5 to June 12.
The target audiences for "Land" and "Fast" are sufficiently distinct to allay fears of any marketplace overlap, said Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco.
Based on the classic children's TV show created by Sid and Marty Krofft, "Land" revolves around a family trapped in an alien world populated by cavemen and dinosaurs. Director Brad Silberling ("Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events") wrapped production this summer.
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
