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U will sneak 'Bridget' into theaters Nov. 12

Studio hopes auds are jonesing for 'Jones'

By GABRIEL SNYDER

U plans early date for "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" at 500 theaters a week before its Nov. 19 wide release.

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Universal announced Monday that it will unspool its sequel "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason" in 500 theaters a week before its wide release date of Nov. 19 -- in effect, sneaking a week in advance.

"Bridget" is one of the only R-rated pics in a crowd of family fare skedded for November; U execs have said they think it has a shot of breaking out of the pack of toon blockbusters, including Disney and Pixar's "The Incredibles," which bows on Friday; Warners' "The Polar Express," which opens on Wednesday, Nov. 10; and Paramount's "The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie," which will be released Nov. 19.

"Bridget" will expand to more than 2,500 theaters on its original Nov. 19 date.

Pics bowing wide on Nov. 12, in addition to "Polar," are New Line's "After the Sunset" and Rogue's "Seed of Chucky." The crop of limited releases that weekend include Fox Searchlight's "Kinsey" and Miramax's "Finding Neverland."