Release date of Tom Cruise's 'Valkyrie' pushed back to 2009

LOS ANGELES -- United Artists said Tuesday it has pushed back the release of "Valkyrie," starring Tom Cruise as a World War II German officer, from Oct. 3 until President's Day weekend starting Feb. 13.

It's the second time the movie has been pushed back. It was originally slotted for June.

The film, to be distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., is the second attempt by Cruise and producing partner Paula Wagner to revive the once-moribund United Artists.

The studio's first movie, the clunky thinkpiece on terrorism, "Lions for Lambs," was a critical flop. It is estimated to have lost about $30 million.

MGM said the move was to take advantage of the holiday weekend.

"When an opening became available for President's Day weekend, we seized the opportunity," Clark Woods, MGM domestic distribution president, said in a statement. "Having seen a lot of the film and how great it is going to play once it's finished, moving into a big holiday weekend is the right move."

The movie, directed by Bryan Singer, is based on a real-life plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler.