Release date for 'Leatherheads' postponed

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- The release date for the Hollywood football flick "Leatherheads" has been pushed back because of George Clooney's busy schedule.

The 1920s-set romantic comedy was to hit theaters Dec. 7 but now won't be released until April 4, the Hollywood Reporter said Friday.

Clooney directed, co-wrote and starred in the movie about the owner of a professional team who falls for the fiancee of one of his players.

"Due to (Clooney's) publicity schedule on Warner Bros.' 'Michael Clayton,' his concurrent shooting schedule on Focus Features' 'Burn After Reading' and his recent motorcycle injury, we have moved the release date of 'Leatherheads,'" a Universal spokeswoman told the trade paper. "This will allow Clooney the time he needs to finish the film and for us to get maximum trailer play during the holiday period."