A war between FOUR and the WORLDS

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Thursday, September 16, 2004
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

It's become a battle between the blockbusters for bragging rights to the Fourth of July long weekend for next year. 20th Century Fox's FANTASTIC FOUR, which had staked out a July 1, 2005 opening and made it known months ago, now suddenly faces competition from Paramount Pictures and THE WAR OF THE WORLDS. The Steven Spielberg directed sci-fi war epic has now set its domestic release date for Wednesday, June 29, 2005 -- two days ahead of Fox's FOUR.

The stakes are huge. Traditionally the Independence Day long weekend provides the richest opportunity for movie studios to earn a nice chunk of change from the box office. By moving WAR to an earlier opening slot, Paramount could steal some of Fox's thunder from its FANTASTIC FOUR grosses. While both films are special effects blockbusters, THE WAR OF THE WORLDS may have an advantage by being a Spielberg project that stars A-list leading man Tom Cruise. While it may not have the same star wattage as Spielberg's flick, FANTASTIC FOUR's major claim to fame is by being based on a popular comic book series that's been around for nearly four decades. That was enough for Sony Pictures' SPIDER-MAN when it bowed in theaters two years ago but will it be enough for the film debut of Marvel Comics' first family?


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