“Wolverine” Delayed in Mexico

Sabertooth, the Hulk and Magneto may not be able to defeat him, but Wolverine has finally met his match–a potent combination of the swine flu and an earthquake.

Both factors are being cited by 20th Century Fox as reasons to delay the premiere of “Wolverine” in Mexico.   An earthquake near Mexico City yesterday coupled with the outbreak of the swine flu has lead 20th Century Fox to delay the opening of the film.   Officials in Mexico have already discouraged large gatherings of people and canceled schools for several days to prevent the spread of this new strain of the virus.   The warnings have already led to a decrease in box-office sales in the country according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Mexico might normally be expected to contribute several million dollars to the worldwide opening of an event pic such as “Wolverine.” But during the past few days, the country’s top three exhibitors — Cinepolis, Cinemex and Cinemark — have temporarily closed dozens of theaters in the Mexico City area after widespread contagion in schools and elsewhere.

“Theaters are closed, and that’s why we can’t open the film,” Fox co-president of international distribution Tomas Jegeus said. “It’s that simple. But people are more than concerned in Mexico, and it would be stupid and irresponsible to open a film.”

20th Century Fox said the decision will have no impact on opening the film in the rest of the world.  The film is set to hit theaters Friday.

However, Hollywood is closely monitoring the situation concerning the virus says the Reporter and looking at the impact it could have on box-office sales in the U.S. and world-wide.