AUSTRALIA becomes a Thanksgiving release
HARRY POTTER delay still causing release date shifting.
Baz Luhrmann's first film since 2002's Moulin Rouge will now open on Thanksgiving Weekend. The WW-II love drama Australia will now bow on November 26th, one week after it's original November 14th date. It is the latest switch around for late 2008 which was caused by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince moving very late in the game to next Summer. The reason for the move is obvious. The 22nd James Bond film Quantum of Solace which has huge momentum as the first "true sequel" in the franchise was recently moved to that date in the U.S. to fill the void left by Potter. Variety also suggest that Luhrmann's movie is still not yet complete and he is still shooting for pickup scenes with the leading actors down under and a good deal of editing still has to be done. This extra week gives him slightly more time. Australia will now open directly against Transporter 3, The Road, Four Christmases and Milk.