Spielberg’s Next Sci-Fi Epic Shifts to June Release

Steven Spielberg’s highly anticipated new film is now set to hit theaters on June 12, moving from its original May 15 release date. The adjustment comes as Universal reshuffles its calendar, replacing the upcoming project from Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the acclaimed directors behind Everything Everywhere All at Once. The Daniels’ next film reportedly needs more time, with a new release date yet to be announced.

The move to June positions Spielberg’s latest venture for a potentially stronger box office performance, steering clear of the heavyweights in May, including Avengers: Doomsday and The Mandalorian & Grogu. Instead, it will debut alongside the Scary Movie reboot, arriving between Masters of the Universe on June 5 and Toy Story 5 on June 19.

While details about the project remain largely under wraps, the film is rumored to explore UFO phenomena, marking Spielberg’s return to the sci-fi genre. With a cast that includes Josh O’Connor, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo, Colin Firth, and Eve Hewson, anticipation is running high. The script is penned by David Koepp, a longtime Spielberg collaborator best known for Jurassic Park and War of the Worlds, while Kristie Macosko Krieger is producing under Amblin Entertainment.

Spielberg’s return to sci-fi blockbuster filmmaking is significant, as his last foray into the genre was 2018’s Ready Player One. The legendary director’s most recent films, West Side Story (2021) and The Fabelmans (2022), were critically acclaimed but struggled commercially. Now, fans eagerly await to see how he reinvents the sci-fi spectacle once again when his latest film lands in theaters this summer.