'Fantastic Four' Shifts from July 4th Release Date

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the 20th Century Fox marketing team is dismantling their 4th of July release campaign for 'Fantastic Four':

The studio said Monday it would now open the movie Friday, July 8, a week later than scheduled, ending a looming face-off with director Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds," starring Tom Cruise, which is set to open Wednesday, June 29.


"We are not running from 'War of the Worlds,"' Fox president of distribution Bruce Snyder said. "This (new) date just works better for us."

Fox had been touting the film's release date on collateral and trailers as recently as mid January, and had announced the 4th of July date last fall. However, with 'War of the Worlds' fighting for the same demographic, Fox has opted out of the head-on battle and will instead vie for the box office crown against the Will Ferrell vehicle 'Bewitched'.