New Line Cinema has pushed its Middle Earth finale The Hobbit: There and Back Again from July 18, 2014 to December 17, 2014. No reason was given for the shift, but now it doesn't have to face X-Men: Days of Future Past. As of now, no other films have been slated for release on December 17, 2014. The second movie in the trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, debuts on December 13 this year. The first movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has earned nearly $1 billion worldwide since its release on December 14, 2012.

In related news, Universal Pictures is making a few changes to its release slate as well. The studio has moved 2 Guns, starring Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington, from August 16, 2013 to August 2, 2013. Instead of facing Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and The to Do List on August 16, it squares off against 300: Rise of an Empire and Red 2. The Smurfs 2 opens two days earlier as well on July 31.

Taking 2 Guns' original August 16, 2013 slot in the lineup is the action sequel Kick-Ass 2, which was originally slated for a June 28 release. Universal also announced that the comic book adaptation R.I.P.D. is being converted for a 3D release, although it is still keeping its July 19, 2013 release date. That gives director Robert Luketic four months and some change to add a third dimension to his action-thriller, which stars Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, and Kevin Bacon.