Universal kennels Wolfman & rezones Green Zone

More release date shell games.

• The Wolfman — February 12, 2010
• Green Zone — March 12, 2010

Variety provides a plausible explanation:

“We have seen just how enormous first quarter movies can be,” said Adam Fogelson, president of marketing and distribution for U, citing the $215 million that studios generated on the February weekend this year, versus the $136 million that pics earned on the November date last year.

Marketers believe next year could become “a perfect storm” for distribs, considering Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday and will be closely followed by the President’s Day holiday, the next day.

So there’s only one alpha-male Iraq hero this Oscar season, and only one alpha-dog shapeshifter invited to the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon.