“Valkyrie” flies back to 2008

Posted by brandy

on August 13, 2008M at 11:45 pm

The release date for the World War II period film “Valkyrie,” starring Tom Cruise, has once again been moved.

Variety is reporting today that MGM has moved the film back to 2008, with a new opening date of Dec. 26.

It was originally scheduled for June 27 release, then shifted to a height-of-awards-season October date and finally pushed into a new Feb. 13, 2009, slot. This makes me wonder how long this particular release date will last, but for now, it’s apparently what we’ve got.

The trade magazine quotes unnamed “sources close to events” who say the move to a holiday release date was prompted by “purely commercial reasons” after a well-received screening of the movie. Awards consideration was not a factor, according to these sources.

The move also could be an attempt to capitalize on Cruise’s widely praised cameo in Ben Stiller’s comedy “Tropic Thunder,” which opened today.

“Valkyrie” is directed by Bryan Singer (”The Usual Suspects”) and is based on the true story of a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler that unfolded during World War II. It co-stars Kenneth Branagh, Tom Wilkinson and Eddie Izzard.

As Variety also notes, the decision to move the release date yet again came on the same day that Paula Wagner announced that she is resigning as CEO of United Artists. She will retain an ownership interest in the studio, which she and Cruise co-own with MGM. You can read more on that story by clicking here.

“Valkyrie” is the second film the revived United Artists has made. Cruise and Wagner produced it, and MGM will distribute it.

-BAM

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