‘W.E.’ pushed to Feb 3 release after awards-qualifying run
Madonna’s W.E. has joined a bevy of upcoming films that are opting for a one-week awards qualifying run before Dec. 31 but delaying their official release in theaters until after the new year in order to avoid the crowded year-end corridor, according to hollywoodreporter.com.
W.E. launches its qualifying run December 9, when the film was previously scheduled to debut in theaters. But the fim’s release date has been moved to February 3, the Weinstein Co. confirmed Wednesday.
The switch in plans also is designed to take advantage of Madonna’s widely rumored performance at the Super Bowl on Feb. 5.
W.E., charting the love affair between Wallis Simpson and Britain’s Prince Edward, who abdicated the throne in order to marry Simpson, is hardly alone in opting for an awards-qualifying run versus a full-blown release. Other titles doing the same include Albert Knobbs, Rampart, We Need to Talk About Kevin and Coriolanus, also from the Weinstein Co.
Once a film plays in its qualifying run, usually in one or two theaters in Los Angeles, distributors can send out screeners to awards groups.
From hollywoodreporter.com.