Steven Spielberg's 'Lincoln' movie previews to open against 'Skyfall'

18-Jul-2012 • Skyfall

Director Steven Spielberg had repeatedly stated that his new biopic "Lincoln", based on the life of the epic Civil War-era presidential portrait, would not open during the 2012 Presidential Election in the United States. This also happens to be the week that "Skyfall" opens in the USA, just days after the country goes to the polls.

"Iâm not willing to allow the film to be part of the gristmill of the 2012 election cycle," Spielberg said as filming started. "So Iâm going to make the movie, which of course would be ready for release before the election, but it wonât come out until December of 2012".

However, news from EW today confirms that the release of "Lincoln" has been brought forward.

It will now open in a limited release on November 9th, the same weekend as Daniel Craig's third outing as James Bond (which premieres in the UK two weeks prior). From there, "Lincoln" â which stars Daniel Day Lewis as the 16th U.S. president â will open wider on November 16th against "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn â Part 2".

A limited release of a historical biopic should not worry Sony too much, as "Skyfall" is opening almost uncontested during its first week of release in the States.

Click here to see the release calendar and box office competition for "Skyfall" in the UK & USA.