Shutter Island Says Goodbye to the Oscar Season!

Posted by Michael Dance

In the biggest shock to the Oscar season since the Best Picture field was expanded to accommodate ten nominees, Paramount Pictures has pushed Shutter Island out of the fall and into a February release date.

Usually, a shove to next year means the film isn't actually that good -- think The Soloist. But as In Contention points out, the early word has been pretty great across the board.

So what's the real reasoning? What else: the economy. Paramount was worried it didn't have enough money left this year to give the movie a proper marketing push, and is now hoping it pulls a Silence of the Lambs and scores a Best Picture win anyway.

Studio chief Brad Grey put out this press release after the news broke:

Our 2009 slate was greenlit in a very different economic climate and as a result we must remain flexible and willing to recalibrate and adapt to a changing environment. This is a situation facing every single studio as we all work through the financial pressures associated with the broader downturn. Like every business, we must make difficult choices to maximize our overall success and to best manage Paramount’s business in a way that serves Viacom and its shareholders, while providing the film with every possible chance to succeed both creatively and financially.
Leonardo DiCaprio is among the most talented actors working today and Martin Scorsese is not just one of the world's most significant filmmakers, but also a personal friend. Following a highly successful 2009, we have every confidence that Shutter Island is a great anchor to lead off our 2010 slate and the shift in date is the best decision for the film, the studio and ultimately Viacom.

So I guess we'll see you in '10, Shutter Island.

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Shutter Island Says Goodbye to the Oscar Season!

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