I think this is the first time I can remember writing Roland Emmerich news that made me vaguely happy: Sony has pushed the disaster picture 2012 back to November. Formerly slated to open on July 10, the Mayan apocalypse will have to wait until November 13.

Variety helpfully spins the news by noting that the film now occupies the same date as the last two Bond films, but this is no Bond movie. Giving up the July date, where the movie was up against only I Love You Beth Cooper (but sandwiched between release weeks for Public Enemies and Harry Potter) suggests a real lack of confidence in the movie’s popcorn appeal. If you can’t open a disaster movie in July, when can you open it?

How about going up against Sherlock ‘Iron Man’ Holmes while sandwiched between wolves, as The Wolfman bows the week before and New Moon right after? Sony says the film would have been ready in time, but perhaps now it can feature a few more crumbling mountains.

…and the studio shuffle to stake a new claim on that July date begins.