Steve Carell in EVAN ALMIGHTY (2007).
© Universal Pictures'

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Japan's EVAN Release Canceled

While no official reasoning has been given by UIP (Universal's Overseas Distributor) for them canceling EVAN ALMIGHTY from being released in Japan, there are numerous stated as "possible" over at Variety.

1. American-based comedies haven't had a great success in overseas markets in the past.

2. While BRUCE ALMIGHTY did respectable numbers in Japan, it's believed because Jim Carrey was the reason behind it. Steve Carell's 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN wasn't released in Japan nor have showings of his tv show, "The Office." The bankability of Steve in Japan is too shaky for Universal to take the chance or pay for the prints to be released there.

3. Universal announced in February that Toho Towa will be handling their Japan distribution beginning with the BOURNE ULTIMATUM release for Japan in November (It's released here in the States on August 3rd. ). This may be a factor in canceling the release of Evan there.

4. The movie is a flop and they may be looking towards getting it out of this theatrical release sooner rather than later instead focusing on a quicker dvd market release.

Big thanks to Daforce for passing the word.