Update: The "Pan" Release Date Gets Moved From Summer to October

Hugh Jackman

The last time that we heard from director Joe Wright's Peter Pan adaptation Pan, it had received a trailer and a promising slot in the middle of summer. However, there has been recent news regarding the film's release date that may either prove to be a bad sign or a great one depending on how you prefer to see things. Instead of coming out at the end of the summer, it is now coming out on October 9. For the optimism that I have previously stated, I am hoping that this is the sign that this big budgeted adventure film is capable of being an Oscar contender. Let's take a look at the facts after the jump.

As some can likely guess, Pan is an update of Peter Pan that is pretty much following the recent trend of live action takes on animated classics. Much like director Sofia Coppola's The Little Mermaid, this isn't specifically a Disney version that we're looking at. In fact, none of the iconography even calls out the famous Captain Hook or the fact that it is an origin story. There's so much that could be misconstrued about the film, though it being moved is probably one of the more interesting. This summer has been touted for years of being the best year for blockbusters ever (and in December, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens), so it makes sense why Pan may not be able to compete with the Marvel big boys.

Of course, the film itself seems like an odd choice considering Wright's history. He is one of the finest directors of period pieces with his Best Picture nominated Atonement and the beautiful Anna Karenina. He knows how to bring the stories to life in far more elegant ways than counterpart Tom Hooper. He knows how to mesmerize. His few divvies away from historical dramas, Hanna specifically, have been a fascinating subversion of genre tropes without being necessarily bland. I feel that Pan will fall into the latter camp and while it has historical piece ideals behind it, will be more of the Hanna side of the director.

I also simply share enthusiasm for any time a favorite filmmaker comes out with a new title. I immediately begin hoping that it's not only Oscar good, but hopefully just good. I have admired Wright's work for some time and have been eagerly awaiting his return to the Best Picture race. I do worry that Pan may be more of a blockbuster than an awards contender, but its move into prime consideration season makes me a little more optimistic about its chances. At very least, it will stand a better chance of succeed when it doesn't have to worry about The Avengers: Age of Ultron being there to both its ticket sales. 

So what do you think will likely happen with film? Will it succeed in its new setting, or will this simply be just another entertaining romp that just happens to be directed by a great filmmaker?