Superman is going to be returning a little earlier than expected. Studio representatives announced today that Superman Returns will now be opening on Wednesday, June 28th. It had previously been set for a standard Friday release on June 30th.

Most of you are probably saying, "Who cares?" There are two groups of people care a lot. The first bunch, big fans of the Man of Steel sequel, will no doubt be thrilled that they'll get to see the man in tights take to the sky a couple of days early. It will give them a more chances to see the movie on its opening weekend which is exactly what the second group, studio executives, are no doubt hoping will happen.

In the wake of X-Men: The Last Stand's unexpected smash success this weekend ("Mutants Make Monster Memorial Money" / CB Podcast Talks X-Men"), Superman Returns has a lot to live up to. Returns director Bryan Singer, who also helmed the first two X-Men films, abandoned the Fox mutant franchise to handle Superman for Warner Bros. Fox fast tracked The Last Stand to get it in theaters before Singer's picture could upstage them, a gamble that paid off big time. Now Warner Bros. is feeling the pressure to succeed and a mid-week start is a common way to pad opening weekend sales numbers.

Does Superman actually have anything to fear from the mutant success? It would seem executives have a concern or two. There are plenty of Superman fans out there to give the movie a strong showing, but it's up in the air whether or not it will be enough to overpower the X-Men.