Paramount will release J.J. Abrams' secretive sci-fi movie "Super 8" on June 10, 2011, the studio announced on Wednesday.
The decision pits the special effects-driven blockbuster against Universal's action sequel "Fast Five" and Warner Bros.' "Something Borrowed," the romantic comedy from "The Girl Next Door" director Luke Greenfield that I hear is coming together quite nicely in the editing room and could prove to be one of next year's biggest surprises.
The "Fast and Furious" sequel adds Dwayne Johnson to the macho mix this time around, but while box office figures may indicate otherwise, I sense that the franchise may be running out of gas. Regardless, with a box office battle brewing, I expect "Super 8" to win the weekend, though "Something Borrowed" will challenge both films as a solid option for female audiences.
Steven Spielberg is producing "Super 8" with Abrams and his Bad Robot partner Bryan Burk.
The film stars Kyle Chandler, Elle Fanning, Ron Eldard, Noah Emmerich, Gabriel Basso, AJ Michalka, Zach Mills, Joel Courtney and newcomers Riley Griffiths and Ryan Lee.
Plot details remain under wraps, but the alien-themed tentpole will pay homage to some of Abrams' favorite movies as a kid, including some of Spielberg's early Amblin films.
Production is currently underway in West Virginia.
