The Weinstein Co. is doing a release date switcheroo with two of its upcoming major titles, Mary Magdalene and The Current War, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The former, starring Rooney Mara, is now set for Easter weekend on March 30, 2018, while the latter will be taking its former release date of November 24, 2017, during Thanksgiving weekend.
This means that Mary Magdalene will no longer be facing an awards release; however, based on its subject matter, it isn’t a surprise that the distributor chose Easter weekend for its release. The film will follow the much debated life of Mary Magdalene, a devout follower of Jesus Christ and one of the people to help carry the cross during his crucifixion. Mara will be reuniting with her Lion director Garth Davis and her Her co-star Joaquin Phoenix, who is set to play Jesus.
Moving into the coveted November 24 release slot is The Current War, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Thomas Edison and Michael Shannon as George Westinghouse, the two men who paved the way for electricity. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and also starring Tom Holland, Katherine Waterston, and Nicholas Hoult, this is a prestige film if we ever saw one and makes sense for it to debut in time for awards season.
Current War will first premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month and will open on November 24 opposite another awards contender, Call Me By Your Name, and Aaron Sorkin’s hopeful Molly’s Game. Mary Magdalene will be facing off against Ready Player One.