Universal Pictures makes the decision to move the North American release of the 'Happy Death Day' sequel from its original February 14 schedule to allow Parkland community to heal.
- January 18, 2019
AceShowbiz - Universal Pictures bosses have moved the release date of the "Happy Death Day" sequel to avoid a clash with the first anniversary of the Parkland high school massacre in Florida.
"Happy Death Day 2U" was scheduled to hit cinemas on February 14, but studio heads have decided to release a film five days early out of respect for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School teachers and students who lost their lives last year.
"When Universal Pictures became aware last week that the one-year anniversary of the tragic events in Parkland, Florida fell on the 'Happy Death Day 2U' release date, the studio spoke with victim advocates and immediately began the process of changing the release date of the film," a statement reads.
"Following discussions with its partners in exhibition, Universal will move the North American release date to February 13. Additionally, the studio has decided not to show the film in Parkland and the surrounding areas. Outdoor, digital and in-theatre marketing for the film will be suspended in that market. The studio understands the importance of memorializing the February 14 date as an opportunity to continue to allow the Parkland community to heal."
Very happy to announce that I just got off the phone with executives at Universal Studios. They will be moving the release date of the movie off of February 14th and they will also be taking steps to address the local needs of the Parkland community. This was a great outcome.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 16, 2019
Former student Nikolas Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder after killing 17 students and staff members and injuring seventeen others.
