For over a decade, Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio have developed a reputation as one of the strongest director-actor teams working today. Their partnership has resulted in four highly acclaimed releases, including Oscar winners The Departed and The Aviator. So, to say that their anticipation is high for their fifth collaboration, The Wolf of Wall Street, is certainly an understatement.

The film – based on the autobiography by New York stockbroker Jordan Belfort – has long been viewed as an awards season frontrunner and was originally set for release in November (i.e. just in time to build up Oscar buzz). However, recent reports have indicated that post-production on the film is taking longer than expected, and the film's delay may cause Paramount to bump its franchise reboot Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit into next year. As it turns out, it's looking like that is exactly what's about to happen.

According to the Los Angeles Times, The Wolf of Wall Street will now hit theaters on Christmas Day 2013. The decision not to push the film back to 2014 was almost certainly motivated as a way of maximizing its chances during the upcoming award season, and this new high-profile date sandwiches The Wolf of Wall Street between other Oscar hopefuls The Monuments Men and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. The film is written by Terence Winter and costars Jonah Hill and Matthew McConnaughey

Since Paramount is moving one of their biggest awards contenders into its slot, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit – which stars Chris Pine as the titular Tom Clancy hero – will likely arrive in early 2014. January is typically one of the slower months at the box office; so don't be surprised if Jack Ryan doesn't make his way into theaters until February, when thrillers like Safe House and Scorsese's own Shutter Island thrived. At the very least, Paramount will want to leave a significant window following the launch of The Wolf of Wall Street.

Neither of these new release dates is 100% official yet, though Paramount is expected to make announcement any day now.

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How do you think these prospective new release dates will affect The Wolf of Wall Street's Oscar chances, and will Jack Ryan perform better or worse early next year? Sound off in the comments section below.

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Stay tuned to Screen Rant for the latest on The Wolf of Wall Street and Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

Source: Los Angeles Times