Paramount Moving ‘The Dictator’ To May 16, Away From Warner Bros’ ‘Dark Shadows’
EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Pictures will change the opening date of its Sacha Baron Cohen-starrer The Dictator forward five days, moving from May 11 to its new date on Wednesday May 16. That is being done to avoid a head to head showdown against Warner Bros’ Dark Shadows. The move was made after a trailer for the Tim Burton-directed Johnny Depp-starrer began showing that the film seems far more comedic than expected considering its eerie subject matter. Paramount didn’t want to risk cannibalizing the comedy audience by bashing heads with a rival on the same opening weekend.
Now, The Dictator opens closer to Memorial Day, between Dark Shadows and Battleship. Warner Bros is never shy about scheduling such opening weekend dust ups, which is has done when Arthur went against Your Highness, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas went against Tower Heist, and Sherlock Holmes 2 went against Mission: Impossible–Ghost Protocol. Paramount gave itself five days of space from that date, and it worked out well for everyone.
I think “Dark Shadows” looks great. Loving the outdoor posters around town. I didn’t know what to expect (never heard of the TV show) but I think this looks like another Depp/Burton hit. Probably nowhere near the size of “Alice” box office, but audiences I’ve seen the trailer play with have laughed really hard. “The Dictator” also gets strong laughs for the trailer, but I have to admit that I just don’t find it funny. Feels way too close to “Borat,” but not as good of a character. Am I missing something?
No, FO, I think you’ve called it the way it is, barring any surprises.
Certainly can’t have two powerhouse comedies like Dark Shadows and Dictator possibly ‘cannibalizing’ each other.
This is the reason studio executives get the big bucks.
Those that expect DARK SHADOWS to be another BEETLEJUICE or flat out comedy will be in for a surprise, as it’s still a horror movie and Barnabas Collins is still Barnabas Collins. WB is playing this campaign very smartly right out of the box.
Both look just awful.
Both look really funny. Don’t be a snark.
I love the Dark Shadows trailer. Really looks fantastic.
Panic!
Maybe the facts that the Dictator is wildly behind schedule on post and SBC has four editors working simultaneously to get the movie ready but he still keeps changing it based on the whim of the latest test screening is a more legitimate reason for the scheduling pushback.. but nice cover-up Paramount by claiming it is worried about cannibalizing the comedy audience.. They are probably more simply worried about failing to make that audience laugh.
I’m not a fan of eithe Depp or Cohen. The former plays the same weirdo character in almost every movie and the latter is just overall irritating. I will admit though that “The Dictator” trailer had me laughing out loud and while “Dark Shadows” looks visually cool, I feel like I’ve seen it a dozen times already from Burton’s past works.
If I had to choose between the two, I’m in for “The Dictator” and not “Dark Shadows.”
Just my ten dollars worth.
The Dictator will fail miserably and hoping it becomes the end of SBC’s career.
Dark Shadows looks great – can’t wait to see it! Elfman’s score has an entirely different tone (dark and creepy), so there must be some drama in this film.
SBC was great in Hugo. Very talented man.