Numerous outlets have reported that The Wachowskis‘ Jupiter Ascending — which was set to begin its international rollout just over six weeks from now on July 17, with a U.S. release on July 18 — has been pushed back to February 6, 2015. The official word is that the film is being pushed because it requires additional special effects work, but the lateness of the announcement is surprising. The film already has received a marketing push and stars two extremely popular actors, Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum, though the film has reportedly been tracking very poorly. Perhaps the awful Kunis character poster has something to do with that?
It will take the spot from Warner Bros.’s Run All Night, an action movie starring Liam Neeson, which has not yet been given a new release date. The move has been rumored since Scarlett Johnasson‘s Lucy, which has received strong buzz, was moved from August to July 25.
Normally this is a very, very bad sign. Delaying a movie for seven months usually suggests that either there are major production issues and/or the studio has no confidence in the movie in its current form. Nonetheless, it is not always detrimental to the movie. A lengthy delay did wonders for last year’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation (curiously also starring Tatum), and it ended up being better received that the first G.I. Joe movie. But the Jupiter Ascending delay is telling because the movie has been pushed from a prime summer movie weekend to what is generally regarded to be one of the worst box office months. Curiously, February 6 is also the release date of Seventh Son, a fantasy movie starring Jeff Bridges that was originally set for a February 2013 release, but was delayed for numerous production issues, including its special effects house going bankrupt.
It’s worth noting that the last few movies by the Wachowski siblings have severely underperformed. The Matrix Revolutions grossed less than half of what The Matrix Reloaded grossed in the U.S., though it was still a box office success. However, the duo’s follow-up, 2008’s Speed Racer, bombed on its $120 million budget, grossing only $43.9 million in the U.S. Their last film, 2012’s Cloud Atlas, did even worse, grossing only $27.1 million in the U.S. on its $102 million budget and grossed just $130.5 million worldwide. Only 2005’s V for Vendetta, which the pair wrote and produced but did not direct, was a major hit since the Matrix trilogy wrapped up nearly ten years ago. Nonetheless, Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures put up the $150 million budget for Jupiter Ascending despite the siblings’ recent lack of box office success.
If the delay is truly effects related, the extra time might be worth it. However, if the Wachowskis have another bomb on their hands… well, that might be the last time any studio gives them $100 million to make a movie.
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