Let's have 'Launch' later

Outkast pic taken off March 10

By BEN FRITZ

Paramount is pushing back the release of romantic comedy "Failure to Launch" by a month just three weeks before it bows, while Universal is delaying musical "Idlewild" and Lionsgate is redrawing the date for "Foodfight!," its first foray into animation.

"Failure to Launch" is shifting from Feb. 10, when it would have been up against "Firewall," "Final Destination 3," "Curious George" and "The Pink Panther," to the less competitive March 10 frame, where it will face "The Shaggy Dog" and "The Hills Have Eyes."

Par may also be hoping that DreamWorks distrib topper Jim Tharp will have made his expected move over by then. Former domestic distrib chief Wayne Lewellen ankled in December, and the position is currently vacant, which could cause headaches for a major release, though "Last Holiday" went relatively well for the studio last weekend.

U, meanwhile, has taken HBO musical "Idlewild," starring Outkast's Andre 3000 and Big Boi, off of March 10. Studio hasn't picked a new date for the negative pickup, though it's expected later in 2006.

"Foodfight!" a CG-animated family comedy from Lionsgate, was skedded to come out Nov. 23, the Friday before Thanksgiving, up against WB toon "Happy Feet." Studio has pushed the toon all the way to spring 2007 in hopes of lining up promotional partners -- most likely from the food biz, since pic takes place inside a grocery store.