‘The Wolfman’ Pushed Back Again

Published by Jeff Leins on July 29, 2009

Universal has pushed back the release date again for The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro.  The remake was originally scheduled for Friday the 13th of February 2009, but was publicly postponed several times by the studio to its new theatrical release date of February 12, 2010, almost a year from the original date.

It was initially delayed when Joe Johnston replaced Mark Romanek in the director’s chair.  Then the production called for reshoots over the weekends in late May to transform the way the werewolf stands.  When it was first filmed in 2008, the wolf stood on two legs and now he’ll bound after his victims on all fours.  Universal also told THR the visual effects weren’t complete, which would have hindered the marketing campaign for the film in its old November time slot.

The crew, including Del Toro and Emily Blunt were on hand at 2008’s Comic-Con, but were MIA this year to promote the remake.  Instead the convention was dominated by another werewolf movie, The Twilight Saga: New Moon.  The teen vampire sequel incorporates a shape-shifting pack of wolves into the romance and would have overwhelmed the Del Toro movie later that month.  There should have been enough of a demographic separation there, but I guess Universal was still worried.

Instead the Wolf Man will still contend with Robert Pattinson in the packed Valentine’s/President’s Day slot.  The heartthrob stars in Remember Me the same weekend, along with Disney’s 3-D re-release of Beauty and the Beast, the Jessica Biel and Bradley Cooper rom-com Valentine’s Day, and the Harry Potter wanna-be Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.  At least they avoided that vampire competition though…

It’s a shame it had to be moved again.  I’m looking forward to this one and with the involvement of wizard Rick Baker the creature effects should be something special.  Unfortunately, the relocation puts it out of Oscar contention, which means no consideration for technical awards like “Best Make-Up.”