Universal has moved “Lucy,” Luc Besson‘s action movie starring Scarlett Johansson, up to July 25, positioning Johansson’s titular superhero against Dwayne Johnson‘s “Hercules” and Cameron Diaz‘ “Sex Tape.”
The movie had been scheduled to open Aug. 8, the same weekend as Paramount’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” DreamWorks’ drama “The Hundred-Foot Journey” and Warner Bros.’ “Into the Storm.”
See video: Scarlett Johansson Accidentally Accesses 100 Percent of Her Brain Power in First ‘Lucy’ Trailer
It would have also opened a week after Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which early data suggests will be a big hit. It now gets a week of running space before “Guardians,” another superhero movie, though a decidedly lighter one.
Besson is a talented writer, director and producer who directed “Leon the Professional,” “Nikita” and “The Fifth Element” while writing and producing the “Taken” and “Transporter” franchises.
“Lucy” stars Johansson as a drug mule in Taiwan who turns into a superhuman after a drug implanted in her body leaks. She can absorb knowledge instantly and does not feel pain.
In its old date, it would have opened a week before “The Expendables 3,” another action film that will play well overseas, and “As Above, So Below,” the first Legendary Pictures movie released by Universal. ”
Universal will now release “Lucy” a week after another one of its titles,” The Purge: Anarchy.”
