Spidey opens around the world before opening USA-UK

By Scott Rosenberg Apr 6, 2007, 13:06 GMT

Peter Parker has finally managed to piece together the once-broken parts of his life, maintaining a balance between his relationship with Mary-Jane and his responsibility as Spider-Man. But more challenges arise for our young hero. Peter\'s old friend Harry Obsourne has set out for revenge against Peter; taking up the mantle of his late father\'s persona as The New Goblin, and Peter must also capture Uncle Ben\'s real killer, Flint ...more

People are making a fuss because ‘Spider-Man 3’ will open in China May 3rd, a day before the so-called “day-and-date” release of the blockbuster franchise.

But truth be told, Spidey opens in most international territories several days before its May 4 USA-UK release.

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will open the film on May 1st.

The film will have its US preem of the movie on April 30th at the New York based Tribecca Film Festival which will be one of several events in NY celebrating Spider-Man week.

“Tribeca Film Festival is the perfect way for Peter Parker to be welcomed back home with the U.S. Premiere," said Jeff Blake, Vice Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment.  “It allows us to reach our goal of bringing the full Spider-Man experience to the heart of the film community and the city of New York. We're also proud to be thanking the people of the City of New York by holding free screenings in the other boroughs with the Tribeca Film Festival -- it's a great opportunity for all Spider-Man fans and movie buffs to help us kick off the summer movie-going season.”

Back to China where the film will release just before the country’s blackout period, where foreign films generally are withheld to allow domestic pics equal footing, Sony China will release pic on the highest number of screens ever for a foreign film in China.

Now, ‘Casino Royale’ holds the record of 470 screens in China but reports are forecasting a Spidey opening on over 500 screens.

Increasingly, Hollywood studios are choosing to open anticipated blockbuster films internationally on or near their worldwide premiere dates to thwart piracy efforts.