Australia Moved!

Don’t worry, Nic, moving the film’s release date back doesn’t mean it’s in trouble…does it? 

No, not the continent! It’s still where you left it. I mean the sweeping, epic romance starring Aussie natives Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, which will now open on November 26th, instead of the previously announced November 14th.

According to Variety, the November 14th US release was supposed to take place 48 hours after the Australian premiere on November 13th (those big time differences sure can be confusing). Now that plan’s been scuttled and the Australian opening will move to match the US date.

This is the latest in a series of shuffles on the autumn slate. First the latest Harry Potter movie shifted from November 21st to July 2009. Then Twilight moved from December 12th to November 14th. Now Australia goes from November 14th to November 26th.

And no, I sincerely doubt that Australia moved because the producers were scared of Twilight. The World War II Outback love story is targeted at a different audience than that of Twilight.

On the 26th, Australia will face off with animated film Bolt; Cormac McCarthy adaptation The Road; and another adaptation, The Time Traveler’s Wife.

The reasoning behind the move is likely just a need for extra time. Apparently director Baz Luhrmann is currently shooting some additional footage with Kidman and Jackman, and backing up the release date will buy him some extra time to finish the film.

It’s certainly not uncommon to do some extra shooting after a film has wrapped so I wouldn’t say this is a bad warning sign. I’m hoping this movie is good because I always like Luhrmann’s work; if nothing else, his films have a color and enthusiasm many others lack. But it just seems like pulling off this type of–again, I’ll say it–epic, sweeping romance is extremely difficult and too many of these projects turn into big busts. Show us how to do it right, Baz.