Update: "The Wolf of Wall Street" Will Be Released in Time for Christmas

Leonardo DiCaprio

For those worried that this season's most anticipated movies were being moved to next year, there is one silver lining. It was announced today by Paramount Studios that director Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street will be coming out in 2013. Despite initial conflicts in which it would be opening against other Paramount film Jack Ryan, the studio decided to push director Kenneth Branagh's thriller back and have the Wall Street story qualify for this year's Oscars. While films like Foxcatcher and Grace of Monaco are still on for 2014, it is a relief to know that one of the most anticipated movies of the year is still happening and while delayed, doesn't keep the tradition going of Leonardo DiCaprio's many, many pushed back films. 

While there is very little to add, it does change the way to look at the upcoming Oscar season, most notably in the Best Picture race with the sliding 5-10 slots. The Wolf of Wall Street feels like a guaranteed nomination and there's only speculation to who will get kicked out of the other categories provided that DiCaprio gets enough traction to compete with other Best Actor contenders such as favorites Chiwetel Ejiofir (12 Years a Slave) and Tom Hanks (Captain Phillips). We'll have to wait to see the performance to judge fully.

However, that only means that the December 25 release date will be yet another packed one reminiscent of last year, or any year for that matter. As it stands, the films expected to be released around Christmas are: The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, American Hustle, The Monuments Men, Saving Mr. Banks, Her, and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. This is excluding everything released before December 13 and just goes to show that it will be a busy season at the movies for those hoping to keep up with your Oscar prognosticators. 

I am not entirely sure if this move will work, but then again The Wolf of Wall Street trailer has remained one of the best of the year. Martin Scorsese is enough of a draw where it could get recognition just by his name attached. However, the busy season will only make it harder to stand out, especially at a point when we'll begin to notice who our front runners actually are and who knows where the level of prestige will lie. All I know is that I am glad that it made it in this year as I don't have to wait, but more worried that it will just get lost in the shuffle.

Is this move for The Wolf of Wall Street going to be a smart one? Is this going to be Leonardo DiCaprio's year? Should these films be more spread out instead of released at once?