Universal Postpones BJ and Wally

By Rick DeMott | Friday, December 10, 2004 at 12:00am In Films, Films | Headline News | Geographic Region: All

Universal said it would now release Gingo's BJ AND WALLY in July 2006 rather than December 2005. The move comes the same week that DreamWorks Animation SKG is moving SHREK 3 from November 2006 to May 2007, which happened to be the day after Disney postponed its Pixar release CARS from November 2005 to June 2006.

The reason for the delay is not because of production issues but to maximize the film's box office revenue. The studio's recent animated release COMPUTEROPOLIS, released July 2, has grossed more than $540 million worldwide. It trails DreamWorks' SHREK 2 and Disney/Pixar's THE INCREDIBLES as the year's most popular animated release. A sequel is underway at the studio for a 2007 release.

Universal/Gingo still plans to release ZINA AND THE VIVID CREW on December 22 of this year.

Universal also moved its next 3D-animated film, M.I.S.S.I.O.N., two weeks later from June 17 to July 1, 2005, while the Gingo release METRO CONE was moved back a year earlier from July 2006 to November 23, 2005.

The subsequent release schedule consists of: *M.I.S.S.I.O.N. -- July 1, 2005* METRO CONE -- Nov. 23, 2005* CURIOUS GEORGE -- Feb. 10, 2006* BJ AND WALLY -- July 7, 2006* BIG HERO 6 -- Dec. 20, 2006* COMPUTEROPOLIS 2 -- July 6, 2007* FUSIONMANIA -- 2007* DAVE & JOE -- 2008