MUMBAI: In response to strong reactions from early screening audiences, Warner Bros. has moved the release date for its action drama Blood Diamond to 8 December, 2006, one week earlier than previously slated.

The announcement was made by Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution Dan Fellman.

Fellman said, “We have seen the positive buzz on the film building, so it made sense to put it up on screens as early as possible to take advantage of what promises to be excellent word-of-mouth. We also want to give Academy and guild members every opportunity to see Blood Diamond on the big screen in anticipation of a very competitive awards season.”

Blood Diamond director Edward Zwick was also supportive of the move to 8 December, saying, “Everyone involved in Blood Diamond, on both sides of the camera, believed in this movie and worked very hard to make it happen. On behalf of all of them, I am very pleased that the studio is demonstrating so much faith in our film.”

The film stars Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio (The Aviator), Academy Award winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) and Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (In America). The screenplay was written by Charles Leavitt, from a story by Leavitt and C. Gaby Mitchell.