It's a tricky thing to pick a release date for a film. Not only does the studio have to consider the competition of other films released that same weekend but the star's schedules also play a significant factor. Escape Plan has been finished for months and test screenings have been very positive; so what's the hold up? This Arnold / Sly action film was originally slated for late September and then later was moved forward to Sept 13th only to now be pushed back to October 18th!
Lionsgate announced today not only the new date for Escape Plan but also the U.S. theatrical release date for Expendables 3: August 15, 2014! Stallone, Jackie Chan, Wesley Snipes, Nicolas Cage and Milla Jovovich (in advanced negotiations) are all ready for action.
Considering EX3 is set to start filming in August and since we all know Arnold will be involved in some way, it's very likely that Schwarzenegger's three or four weeks of shooting for this film will be in September, which is WHY Escape Plan can't come out then. With The Oak and Sly in full Sept. production in some exotic film location, there's no way they could properly promote the prison movie. Arnold insists on traveling the world to sell a good movie and to pump up international crowds. He normally takes a full month off to travel and promote and this can't be done in September if Sly wants him badly to be in The Expendables 3.
Before, Escape Plan's only theatrical competition was Machete 2 (the sequel to a bomb of a bad action movie). It's new release date of October 18th will be a harder box office battle as it will face off with Carrie, Don Jon and Seventh Son. Originally we were angered by the October film release date but it all makes sense now. I'm sure ANY DAY now we'll get that glorious tweet from @schwarzenegger saying he'll be back to be a part of EX3. Get ready!
