Universal has shifted the release date of Legendary’s Warcraft movie from December 2015 to March 11, 2016 in order to avoid competing with Star Wars: Episode VII. Duncan Jones (Moon) is attached as director to adapt a story from Chris Metzen, a writer for World of Warcraft game developer Blizzard. Given the overlap in audience for the two films, the time between releases will likely benefit both. While some cast members have been suggested, only Travis Fimmel has been confirmed.
Universal has also made other release date announcements for upcoming films.
The Seventh Son, starring Jeff Bridges and directed by Sergei Bodrov, will open on February 6, 2015. The film will adapt the first novel in John Delaney’s young-adult fantasy series, The Wardstone Chronicles. The Seventh Son has seen release date changes before under its original distributor, Warner Bros, before disappearing from the schedule when Legendary switched its partnership to Universal. The new date is more than a year after the previously set January 2014. Universal is likely counting on the continued success of The Hunger Games series to sustain interest in young-adult fiction adaptations until the final film in that adaptation releases in November 2015.
Also from Universal, an untitled film directed by Michael Mann will release on January 16, 2015. The Boy Next Door, starring Jennifer Lopez, will hit theaters the week after on the 23rd. The Mummy reboot will arrive on April 22, 2016.