‘Malcolm X’ Opening Moved Up

Warner Bros. is moving the opening date of Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” ahead by two days to Wednesday, Nov. 18--a shift that gives it a jump on the expected holiday-season smash “Home Alone 2,” from 20th Century Fox.

Warner Bros. said that early test screenings of the film biography of the assassinated African-American leader were promising, and thus prompted the move. But a studio spokeswoman could not comment on how the shift would affect Lee’s call for students to skip school on the previously planned Nov. 20 opening day, a Friday, in order to see his movie. She said the assumption is that Lee’s request will stand. Lee was en route to Los Angeles on Friday and could not be reached.

Meanwhile, Tom Sherak, Fox executive vice president, said he thinks the “Malcolm X” rescheduling “is a good thing.” Asked about the competition between “X” and the comedy sequel “Home Alone 2,” Sherak said, “The two movies are, to some extent, for two different audiences. (Warner Bros.) must believe they have a major movie which will draw major reviews on that Wednesday, that they can use in Friday’s ads.”