A spirited game of musical release dates took place in Hollywood on Thursday, as Steven Spielberg’s “Robopocalypse” was bounced back a year into 2014, clearing its July 3, 2013, slot — which Disney quickly claimed for “The Lone Ranger.” Twentieth Century Fox also announced that it will release a 3D version of Roland Emmerich’s 1996 pic “Independence Day” on that day.
Fox also set Memorial Day (May 23) 2014 for “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” Rupert Wyatt’s follow-up to the 2011 hit “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Studio also announced that it will unspool the next installment in its “X-Men” franchise on July 18, 2014.
Other Fox release dates for next year include the Christmas rollout of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and “Walking With Dinosaurs,” the latter of which shifts from Oct. 11 to Dec. 20. Chernin Entertainment’s untitled Paul Feig comedy will unspool April 5 while “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters” hits theaters Aug. 16, 2013 (pushed from March 15). Studio will release toon “Epic” (formerly titled “Leafmen”) on May 24.
Disney’s “Lone Ranger” announcement came shortly after news that Alan Horn had been tapped to head its film studio. Gore Verbinski’s live-action adventure will open against Universal’s “Despicable Me” sequel. The Mouse House also moved Marvel’s “Thor 2” up a week to Nov. 8, 2013 — a date already occupied by Sony’s “One Direction” concert film. Lionsgate has slotted “Ender’s Game” for Nov. 1, 2013.
