THE MARSH KING’S DAUGHTER (2023): Film Moves Release Date to Avoid Conflict with the Taylor Swift Concert Movie

Daisy Ridley Movie Swiftly Changes its Release Date

STX, Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate‘s upcoming film, The Marsh King’s Daughter, will not be opening as anticipated on October 6th to avoid clashing at the box-office with the upcoming Taylor Swift concert film.

Who’s afraid of the sweet Taylor Swift? Quite a few people actually, especially studios behind films opening around the time Swift’s concert movie makes its way into theaters on October 13th. Daisy Ridley’s dramatic thriller, The Marsh King’s Daughter has gladly gotten out of Swift’s way by escaping its October 6th unveiling date and securing a November 3rd opening instead.

When one looks at the trailer for The Marsh King’s Daughter, one could briefly be reminded of the box-office hit from 2022, Where the Crawdads Sing. This new film, however, looks a lot less talky. Still, Daisy Ridley’s starring role in it could help make The Marsh King’s Daughter an alluring box-office prospect given its literary pedigree. Karen Dionne penned the book which Kirkus Reviews said was “unsettling.” However, the movie looks very intense and should get fans of the book into theaters to see the film adaptation.

Ridley portrays a woman named Helena who goes into the wilderness to confront the man she’s always known has ruined her life: her dad (AKA “The Marsh King”). The father is played in the movie by Ben Mendelsohn. While the father taught Helena much about survival, Helena seeks to turn the tables on the abusive dad who has escaped from prison and threatens Helena’s new family. Neil Burger was behind the camera and directed the very solemn sounding picture.

This change in the release date schedule will put Ridley’s film against Meg Ryan and David Duchovny’s new romantic comedy movie, What Happens Later. Both of these movies are competing for different types of audiences, however. Ryan’s and Duchovnys film is geared towards the date movie crowd while The Marsh King’s Daughter seems more set on reeling in drama and action film audiences.

In all honesty, even The Exorcist: Believer was afraid of Taylor Swift’s concert film. That opening weekend of October 13th for Swift’s movie, will be “ExorSwift” weekend where horror film fans will see The Exorcist: Believer on Friday the 13th and then also see Swift’s picture Friday, Saturday or Sunday. But, Swift’s movie should win at the weekend box-office with about five times as much money. To avoid any complications, The Exorcist: Believer shifted its release date to October 6th, as previously reported. If “ExorSwift” is to happen successfully, The Exorcist: Believer should need to make at least $30 million on its opening weekend to stand a chance of still being considered a hot ticket after October 13th.

The Marsh King’s Daughter looks like an earnest, well-made dramatic action picture which deserves to be judged on its own merits and to not be slaughtered by the likes of Swift at the domestic box-office. If all goes well, STX, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will make a profit off The Marsh King’s Daughter which has a built-in fan base from the book.

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