'Sinister,' 'Chainsaw 3D' stake era dates

Recently merged companies Summit and Lionsgate are matching their distribution efforts by moving "Sinister" and "Texas Chainsaw Massacre three dimensional" to maximise each pic's box office potential. "Sinister," initially slotted for August. 24, moves two several weeks later for an March. 5 bow. "Chainsaw," which formerly held the March. 5 date, has become is called for Jan. 4, 2013. The very first weekend of the season is becoming prime property for horror films. "The Unborn" drawn on that frame effectively in '09, with $19.8 million, while "The Demon Inside" kickstarted 2012 having a record-setting $33.7 million -- the very best Stateside debut ever for any pic at the begining of The month of january. "It is a great chance for all of us to take advantage of how this genre in the past has carried out that first weekend in The month of january," stated a Lionsgate representative. "Sinister," meanwhile, aims to attain within the run-as much as Halloween. Pic, from "Paranormal Activity" producer Jason Blum, with creating partner John Kavanaugh-Johnson, stars Ethan Hawke like a true-crime novelist, who after finding the reason why behind a nearby family's murder, is faced with a supernatural entity. In the new date, "Sinister" faces Tim Burton toon "Frankenweenie," from Disney, and Fox's "Taken" follow up. "Chainsaw" presently has got the The month of january date to itself. Contact Andrew Stewart at andrew.stewart@variety.com