'Superman' will fly into theaters early

LOS ANGELES, May 31 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Pictures announced it's moving up the U.S. release date for "Superman Returns" by two days.

Attempting to cash in on the July Fourth holiday, the release date has changed from Friday, June 30, to Wednesday, June 28. Historically, releasing films the Wednesday before the holiday have proven to increase box office takes dramatically.

"I'm glad that we are in a position to do it and take advantage of the summer holiday playtime," Dan Fellman,

president of domestic distribution for Warners Bros., told Daily Variety.

With its other major summer film "Poseidon" falling short of aspirations, Warner Bros. is hoping the new release date will help "Superman Returns" avoid the same fate, Variety said.