Universal has decided to delay the release date of 47 Ronin, the upcoming samurai epic starring Keanu Reeves, which was directed by Carl Rinsch, the protege (and possible future son-in-law) of Ridley Scott.
The new release date for 47 Ronin will be on February 8, 2013 – a date which will likely strike movie fans with concern about the quality of the project that Rinsch (who is taking on his first big-budget feature film) has managed to construct.
47 Ronin is based on a legendary story about 18th century Japan, in which 47 Samurai warriors, having seen their master slain (marking them as dishonored “ronin”), embark on a perilous mission of revenge as their last act. Reeves was set to play the lead character Kai, an outcast who joins with the ronin, alongside a cast of many famous Japanese actors. Given Rinsch’s experience directing futuristic commercials (he was also set to direct what is now Prometheus before Fox had Ridley Scott take the job) it was hoped that he would make good use of the 3D format and lavish sets and costumes in the film, in order to create an old-meets-new-style of historical epic, which would be truly… well, epic.
The movie’s original late November 2012 release date also suggested that Universal was banking on it being something big – which is why news of this shift to February 8, 2013 is such an ominous development. Typically, early February serves as the darkest hole in the movie graveyard – a place that studios throw their failed projects in the hopes of mitigating their losses at the box office during the competition-free winter doldrums. For example: late January/early February of this year brought such winners as Man on a Ledge, Red Tails, Safe House, and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island; and trust us when we say: this year was a good year.
Universal may be making a shrewd move, positioning a hit film in a slow part of the calendar year to gain maximum attention. But then, when you consider the fact that Die Hard 5 will be hitting theaters a week later, it doesn’t seem like a longevous box office run is exactly what the studio has in mind (as Die Hard will quickly turn attention away from 47 Ronin). It could be a technical thing – extra time needed for post-production, punching up those 3D visuals. As it stands, the 3D samurai epic will open against Steven Soderbergh’s psychological thriller The Bitter Pill, and the Keira Knightley romance film Safe Haven. So it should do alright in its first week, if nothing else.
If this project is ultimately a bust, it’ll be a shame for Rinsch, for Reeves, and for all us fans of samurai flicks.
Guess we’ll know for sure when 47 Ronin hits theaters on February 8, 2013.
Source: Universal
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Having Keanu Reeves as its lead is a worse sign for the film
That’s what they said about The Matrix
depends on what type of role it is. Here he is supposed to be an outsider who is a “half-breed” so to say.
I didn’t know Reeves was asian? ” like you should like totally snatch this pebble from my hand like for sure! awesome! ” whoow
Whaaaaa?
This is unexpected…
Man, I was actually looking forward to this one: It’s been years since I last saw a Samurai movie, but like the article said, delaying a movie till February is never a good sign
Damn.
is it will be the asian popular. i had no idea bout it
Hmm idk, big Keanu fan but it could be post production issues. This was not an easy movie to pull off from what I’ve read. Shooting all over the world and scenes both in english and japanese languages. Going up against Die Hard 5 is a little worrying though :/
I was gonna say “February? the WORST? Man a ledge, Safe house?” I mean hey. I enjoyed ‘em. Still excited for this..not so much for 3D but..whatever
A lot of movies get pushed back, maybe there is something wrong or maybe they are just worried about getting lost in the shuffle.
The cast is flat-out impressive, even with having to deal with a gaijin in the lead. /facepalm Enough so that the Mr. and I will be watching this. I must confess, it will be interesting to see how this bit of Japanese history gets translated.
Thank you for keeping tabs on this, Mr. Outlaw.
mac :]
i dont know if 27 ronin will be a bad film but even if it was good this film was gonna be crushed under other larger and well known films .just look at the older schedule.
november 9 skyfall
16 breaking dawn part 2
21 gravity
rise of guardians
47 ronin
14 the hobbit
breakin dawn,hobbit are easily two amoung the most anticipated movies and is going to score huge.skyfall,rise of guardians are also aiming big and its not even summer.47 ronin cannot compete to themeven if it is a good movie.universal made a bold move by rescheduling it to february where competion is much much less.
my bad it is 47 ronin.
Not long ago they were talking about doing a remake of Kung-Fu…..Never thought of it before, but Reeves would make a good lead for Qui Chan (Have no idea if that’s even close to spelled right)
It sounds like winter is the new summer.
I’ve also heard it’s problems in post. 3D technical issues. Not sure if they had to go back and do a few pick-ups. We are hoping to get into the upcoming screening here in Hollywood. I do believe Reeves is a good choice for the film.
One more thing. I must mention they really have to find someone else to make their movie posters!! The last two I’ve seen on the net are horrible.
I cant wait for the release of this movie.It was to be Nov 2012 and now Feb 2013.
No matter, i had waited since May 2011…btw guys,i had a small part in it.18 nights of shooting.
It was cool.The movie should be awesome.