Usually the moving of a release date with comments about the need for additional filming is bad news for a movie. So the changing of Brian Singer’s Valkyrie release date from June 27th to October 3rd next year should be looked on with some concern. Of course, the production is saying that all is fine and dandy like peppermint candy. Variety reports that United Artists is saying the delay is because the production forgot to film a key scene. Whoops.

The production was planning to film a battle scene that shows how Tom Cruise’s character lost his hand and eye prior to production wrapping in October. The location of the filming didn’t work out and now Singer plans to shoot the scene in February. This is United Artist’s second film since Cruise and his partner Paula Wagner resurrected in 2006, (after the dud Lions for Lambs.) The company (i.e. Cruise) wants to give Singer every chance to make the movie not suck, so the release date is being pushed back to help get the scene shot and incorporated.

While the explanation sounds reasonable, it could also be a load of bunk. The trailer is very detailed and made it look like things were moving right along for a “summer 2008” release. A change at this point is a bit fishy and may point to unhappy test screenings. That would be too bad as the trailer looks great and the cast is top notch. Here’s hoping Bryan and Tom pull it off.