Anything Goes : Why Hollywood Is Setting Movie Release Dates 5 Years in Advance by Richard "RB" Botto

I think it is getting crazy. Personally I don't like to know too long in advance when a movie is coming out because I like to have the excitement of seeing the first trailer, then having to wait a few weeks and then going to see it. If I know too long ahead of time when a movie will come out, then I'll look for the trailer and by the time the movie does come out, my excitement has already gone down. I might not even want to go see it at the movies and wait for it on DVD. But then, that's just me.

Great points, Daniel. Also makes one wonder how a studio can predict what will be popular 5 years out. An Angry Birds movie already seems a bit dated...Who knows what can happen - or what will be hot - by 2016.

They probably need that extra time to gather the funds to produce those $150 million flix. While money does grow from trees (paper), it doesn't grow on trees for anyone to pluck. The question being asked in numerous sources, like the Wrap and Studio System News, is can the smaller budget films compete with the big blockbusters?

I think that all depends on screen commitments, Debbie. One of the most under-reported stories out there these days is how most chains are beginning to offer more screens to independents. That's a push back against the studio system. They're tired - rightly so - of being bullied.

I notice this last year when Warner Brothers announce that they wanted to do a Justice League movie for Summer 2015, but they didn't give a date then within a couple of weeks Marvel announces they are releasing Avengers 2 in the first week of May 2015. I knew it was a message to WB that Avengers comes first.

I can sort of see the logic, but like you say -- to think where I was 5 years ago -- and where I might be in 5 years from now -- seems far too long to me!

I'd love to hear more about chains giving more screens to independents. A lot of big names filmmakers are talking about a possible studio system implosion in the near future, because they concentrate most of their money in a few mega blockbusters and superhero franchises that may one day flop, especially 5 years from now...

Its all part of their market research, & development alot of smoke a mirrors to induce interest and gage investor participation on multiple levels from the most savy investors, to people that like to see dice being thrown, Five Years is too long to predict, The Weatherman can't predict a pending storm 48 hours out accurately, sometimes it only rains on one side of the street and un-notice on the other. Take for Example "First Blood" sylvester stallone it took almost 14 years to get it completed, mainly because of endless re-writes and the change in personnel, Kirk Douglas was slated for the role because he had a bigger name than Sly. by the time they were ready to complete the shoot with Kirk Douglas, he look to old to be running through the woods. After Stallone completed Rambo it was test marketed in Los Vegas over the Weekend and the audience didn't like the ending because he was killed in the original script. They had to do a re-shoot, to where he was just arrested. ( Viet Nam War just ended) No Audience wanted to see a Viet NamVet Died that way. Recent Example "John Carter" cost 250 million dollars, years of research with an established character, the movie preform so poorly The President of Studio Entertainment (Disney) got fired. Going with the Independent makes a lot of sense, its not going to cost them anything, except a limo ride and a dinner...

There has been a push back of sorts with certain chains, Stephanie. For a while, studios threatened to pull material from chains which did not dedicate ALL their screens to their product. AMC, for example, is one chain that refused to back down. They called em on the threat, so to say. Now most AMC theaters have at least one screen, and often more, dedicated to independent fare.

Fantastic post, Henry. That's what these discussions are all about. Thanks for contributing.

Hasn't Hollywood always made movie release dates in advance? I think a lot has to do with promotion on the film. The more promo the more anxiety is builds within the public anticipation that results in big ticket sales. It's a long time to wait but I think that's the method to their madness. Lina http://videobylina.com

Certainly not this far in advance, Lina.

Just spotted this piece in the Wrap that seems have some of the elements being discussed here. http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/eight-signs-flop-97966

There is one very noticeable exception to the Green rule: The Green Mile, probably one of the best movies ever made.

It was indeed a good movie. :)