‘2012’ gets hit with a major delay

In a move designed to maximize playability, Sony is delaying the release of Roland Emmerich‘s sci-fi action pic “2012” from July 10 to Nov. 13, two weekends before the lucrative Thanksgiving session.

“We’ve had such success with the James Bond films in November that we wanted a big tentpole film in that slot this year,” Sony distribution president Rory Bruer said Tuesday. “We’ve got so many films in the summer that this is the perfect answer to that.”

The 007 film “Quantum of Solace” unspooled amid light competition over the comparable frame last year to gross $67.5 million, en route to a franchise-topping $167 million domestically.

This time around, the studio has slotted its tentpole against two wide openers — Warner Bros.’ caper pic “Sherlock Holmes,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, and Fox’s Dwayne Johnson comedy “The Tooth Fairy.” It wasn’t clear whether the arrival of “2012” would prompt the departure of either of those pics for clearer pastures.

Sony execs said “2012” could have been completed by its summer date, though the new date will add some extra time for the effects-laden production. The studio’s remaining films set for release this summer include “The Taking of Pelham 123,” an action pic starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta; “The Year One,” a comedy toplined by Jack Black and Michael Cera; “Julie and Julia,” a drama featuring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams; “District 9,” a sci-fi movie with Jason Cope and Sharlto Copley; and “Mardi Gras,” a comedy starring Nicholas D’Agosto and Josh Gad.