Posted: Thu., Mar. 2, 2006, 9:00pm PT

'Evan' makes summer bow

Sequel pushed back to summer release date

By Ben Fritz

Carell

"Evan Almighty" is jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Universal has pushed back the "Bruce Almighty" sequel starring Steve Carell from the Friday before Christmas to the Friday before July 4.

Previously set to bow Dec. 22 against Fox comedy "Night at the Museum" and Paramount's kidlit adaptation "Charlotte's Web," "Evan" now has the June 29, 2007, date to itself. Five days later, however, Par and DreamWorks will open "Transformers."

"We saw an opportunity to get prime summer playtime for the sequel to a movie that did great in the summer," said U distrib topper Nikki Rocco.

"Bruce Almighty" opened to $85.7 million in May of 2003.

"Evan Almighty," which started production this week, is the first pic U has dated for summer 2007.