‘Superman’ flies two days early

Warner Bros. Pictures hopes “Superman Returns� will be able to leap an extremely long weekend in a single bound.

The studio has decided to move up the release of the film to June 28, getting a two-day jump on what for many people will be a four-day weekend, with July 4 falling on a Tuesday. It had been set to open June 30.

The decision was made with an eye toward the past successes of competitors’ films, when Sony’s 2004 “Spider-Man 2� and Paramount’s 2005 “War of the Worlds� opened early ahead of long July 4 weekends and did well in the weekend box office.

“It gives us the same opportunity,� said Dan Fellman, president of domestic distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures. “When the Fourth falls on a Tuesday, many companies give their employees Monday off, so you have this enormous long stretch of very solid summer play time.�

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-- Scott Martelle

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FINALLY

‘Flight’ grounded: Adriana Sevan, one of four artists appearing in “Solomania!� at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, has been forced to cancel her performances June 9 through 11 to undergo surgery on her knee, injured during the opening-night performance of her piece, “Taking Flight.� For ticket refunds or exchanges, call (213) 628-2772.

Actor moves on: Dennis Farina has decided to leave NBC’s “Law & Order� after two seasons to pursue other projects.