Soderberghs 'Solaris' To Arrive Early

Steven Soderbergh's space thriller "Solaris" is shifting its orbit, moving to an earlier launch date of Nov. 27, reports Variety.

Thanksgiving-frame bow for the George Clooney starrer -- produced by Jim Cameron, Rae Sanchini and John Landau -- was made possible by pic's timely wrap three weeks ago, 20th Century Fox distrib prexy Bruce Snyder said. "Solaris" had been set for Dec. 13.

Soderbergh pic stars Clooney as a psychologist sent to probe odd behavior by scientists aboard a space station orbiting the planet Solaris. Cast also features Natascha McElhone and Jeremy Davies.

"Originally, we didn't know we would have it done in time," Snyder said. "Now, with an accelerated post sked, we can move it there."

"Solaris" thus becomes Turkey Day sesh's "only adult movie," Snyder said. He added the move is firm, regardless of any additional jockeying by rival distribs over the still-fluid holidays season sked.

"The film is in great shape so early in the post process that bringing it up a couple of weeks is no problem," Cameron said.

"Nov. 27 is a great date, but from what Steven has been showing me of the rough cut, 'Solaris' is going to be such a landmark of science fiction filmmaking that it doesn't really matter when it is released," he said.

But the "Solaris" time warp out of the Dec. 13 frame also puts two weeks' distance between Soderbergh sci-fier and a potential direct competitor --Paramount's "Star Trek: Nemesis," the latest space adventure in distrib's long-running feature franchise.

Disney's Jackie Chan actioner "Shanghai Knights" is also skedded to unspool Dec. 13.

On its new date, "Solaris" is positioned against Sony toon "Adam Sandler's 8 Crazy Nights," which should skew substantially younger. It also will knock heads -- but only gently -- with Disney's family toon "Treasure Planet."