Fans waiting to see Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone team up again on "La La Land" will have to wait a bit more, as the studio has pushed back the film's release to December. The musical was originally set for a summer run in theaters.
The Hollywood Reporter cites that from its July 15 theater date, "La La Land" will open on Dec. 2 in selected theaters and Dec. 16 across the United States. The move was instigated by Lionsgate to increase "La La Land's" chances at the Oscars. While this indicates the studio's confidence for the movie's quality, the change could affect its box office potential. The rescheduling pits the musical against "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and the Will Smith starrer "Collateral Beauty, per Forbes.
"La La Land" is set in Los Angeles and it's about a musician, Sebastian (Gosling) and an actress (Mia) who believe they are each other's soulmate. However, as they receive much success in their respective careers, their relationship becomes threatened with issues, including from those around them. The film also stars J.K. Simmons, who has worked with the film's director, Damien Chazelle, in "Whiplash." The latter movie was recognized at the Oscars in 2015 and Simmons won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role.
"I wanted to make a big love letter to the city and focus on that push and pull that all young artists experience, between dreams and reality, which old Hollywood musicals are so good at expressing," said Chazelle about "La La Land," via Entertainment Weekly. "I just love the idea of a whole emotional arc told purely visually and musically," he added. "It's a city that's so filled with dreamers, most of whom won't make it.
"La La Land" is the third time Gosling and Stone are working together as romantic partners after "Crazy Stupid Love" in 2011 and "Gangster Squad" in 2013.
