[_____V_____]

"The Wolfman" won't howl this year as planned.
Universal Pictures is moving the reboot of its classic monster franchise to early next year.

The horror pic, which stars Benicio Del Toro as the hairy shape-shifter, will now be released Feb. 12 and serve as counterprogramming to New Line's romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," the Summit drama "Remember Me," with "Twilight's" Robert Pattinson toplining, and Disney's 3-D re-release of "Beauty and the Beast."

It's the fourth date for "Wolfman" after roaming from Feb. 13 to April 3 and then Nov. 6 this year.

"We have seen just how enormous first quarter movies can be," said Adam Fogelson, president of marketing and distribution for U, citing the $215 million that studios generated on the February weekend this year, versus the $136 million that pics earned on the November date last year.

Marketers believe next year could become "a perfect storm" for distribs, considering Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday and will be closely followed by the President's Day holiday, the next day.

The November slot will be taken by U's alien-abduction drama "The Fourth Kind," starring Milla Jovovich. It had previously not had a home on the release schedule. Studio picked it up from Gold Circle Films.