The Christian Bale/Russell Crowe western 3:10 to Yuma arrives in theaters this Friday, carrying with it a good deal of Oscar buzz. Which prompts the question: Why is it arriving in theaters this Friday? As most movie lovers know, studios traditionally reserve their awards fare for the last few months of the year, in order to ensure that Academy members don't forget them when Oscar ballots arrive. The decision release an Oscar contender like 3:10 to Yuma a week after Labor Day is leaving more than a few folks in Hollywood perplexed.
Count star Russell Crowe among them. According to a recent article in Slate, the mercurial Aussie is reportedly more than a little peeved at Lionsgate, the studio behind Yuma, for not pushing the release back to a more Oscar-appropriate date. (Click here to read the article). The folks at Lionsgate might want to be on the lookout for flying phones.