Universal Pictures on Thursday did some major rewrite work on its film release schedule, pushing back the opening dates of three projects, moving one up and setting the rollout dates for four others.
Earlier in the day, the studio announced opening dates for “Furious 8” and two “Fifty Shades of Grey” sequels.
Here are some of the new dates, and shifts:
Legendary’s video game adaptation “Warcraft” will move into summer, going from March 11, 2016, to Friday, June 10, 2016, and be released in 3D. It will have company on that date, as Warner Bros.’ “Conjuring 2,” Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me 2” and Sony’s Seth Gordon-directed “Uncharted” are already on that date.
The Doug Liman-directed “Mena,” starring Tom Cruise,” will be released on Friday, January 6, 2017. The thriller is based on the life of Barry Seal, a former TWA pilot who became a drug smuggler in the 1980s and who was recruited later on by the DEA to provide intelligence.
“The Mummy,” a reboot of the classic monster tale from the studio’s vaults, will move from June 24, 2016, to Friday, March 24, 2017.
Legendary’s “Pacific Rim 2,” to be directed by Guillermo del Toro when it begins shooting, will move from April 7, 2017, to Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, and will be released in 3D.
The studios also moved an untitled monster franchise film from April 21, 2017, to Friday, March 30, 2018.
Earlier Thursday, the studio set dates for the release of two “Fifty Shades” sequels, landing them both around Valentine’s Day, as the blockbuster original was earlier this year.
“Fifty Shades Darker” will be released on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 and “Fifty Shades Freed” will roll out on Friday, Feb. 9, 2018.
It also set Friday, April 14, 2017, as the release date for the next film in the “Fast and Furious” franchise.