The Book of Clarence unexpectedly pulled from UK release this week
New film The Book of Clarence has been pulled from opening in UK cinemas this weekend.
The biblical adventure comedy starring Atlanta’s LaKeith Stanfield was meant to be released in the UK tomorrow (January 19), with a number of cinema chains listing it on their websites.
However, Deadline has reported that the film has been pulled from the schedule last minute, with a March release now more likely.
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The reason for the sudden change is not known, but while Sony is in charge of the film’s UK distribution, according to Deadline it is thought that the decision to delay the release was made by company Legendary, who produced and financed the movie.
The Book of Clarence is set in 29 A.D and sees Stanfield star as the titular character, a struggling Jerusalemite who tries to gain fame and fortune by convincing people he is the new Messiah.
"Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah," the synopsis reads, "he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, ultimately discovering that the redemptive power of belief may be his only way out."
Alongside lead Stanfield, the film has a particularly starry cast including James McAvoy (X-Men), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Michael Ward (Empire of Light), Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon), Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), Alfre Woodard (Star Trek) and David Oyelowo (Silo).
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While UK audiences will now have to wait a little longer to see The Book of Clarence, the film has already received fairly strong reviews across the pond.
Its first reviews back in October gave the movie an impressive critics’ score of 92% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, although it has since dropped to 69%.
Particular praise has been given to Stanfield, with Collider saying: "No actor misses a beat and it confirms that LaKeith Stanfield remains not just a brilliant actor but a true movie star."
Digital Spy has reached out to Sony UK for comment.
The Book of Clarence is out now in the US and will be released in UK cinemas later in 2024.
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