Mayan drama moves from August to December

Under normal circumstances, an epic with a no-name cast told entirely in a dead language would totally be a summer slam-dunk, but Disney has decided that the winter might be a better time for Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto."

The Mayan-language epic, Gibson's first directing effort since a little film called "The Passion of the Christ," had previously been set for release on Aug. 4, but Disney seems convinced that the competition from the Will Ferrell comedy "Talladega Nights" and the animated "Ant Bully" might be too direct. Instead, the movie will be pushed to Dec. 8, a far better home if Disney hopes to have the drama in the race for winter awards.

In its new December home, "Apocalypto" will compete with the comedy "The Holiday" and with Warner's inspirational football drama "We Are Marshall."

In return, Disney has moved its own football drama "Invincible" -- starring Mark Wahlberg and Greg Kinnear -- up to Aug. 25. The dance film "Step Up" has also been moved to August to enhance the studio's late summer profile.

Disney also bumped the limited release of "The Prestige," a magician drama starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, from Oct. 20 to Oct. 27, which probably doesn't have any great meaning.