Universal Shifts ‘Happy Death Day 2U’ Release Date Following Parkland Concerns

Universal’s upcoming Happy Death Day 2U is shifting dates from February 14th to February 13th, 2019. Sure, that’s not a BIG date change, but there is a big reason for it.

On February 14th, 2018, 17 people were shot and killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Valentines Day of 2019 will mark the one year anniversary of the senseless loss of life, a fact that a father of a slain Stoneman Douglas High School student was understandably not too happy with.

Fred Guttenberg, father of 14-year old Parkland victim Jamie Guttenberg, pointed out to Universal Pictures that the chosen release date of a film titled Happy Death Day 2U of the first anniversary of the horrible occurrence may not be the most sensitive choice.

My daughter and 16 others were killed on February 14th. Universal Studios is releasing a move a movie called Happy Death Day 2 U? I get the pun on Valentines Day, for me it will always be the day my daughter was murdered. Please reconsider this!!!!https://t.co/mcx72VKE7A

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 16, 2019

There was a followup tweet from Guttenberg in which he says he’d spoken with an exec at Universal, and that the studio is indeed changing the release date:

Very happy to announce that I just got off the phone with executives at Universal Studios. They will be moving the release date of the movie off of February 14th and they will also be taking steps to address the local needs of the Parkland community. This was a great outcome.

— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) January 16, 2019

According to Yahoo News, a spokesperson for the film reached out to them, offering this statement on the subject, which confirms the date shift as well as additional plans to not show the film in Parkland and surrounding areas:

“When Universal Pictures became aware last week that the one-year anniversary of the tragic events in Parkland, Florida, fell on theHappy Death Day 2U release date, the studio spoke with victim advocates and immediately began the process of changing the release date of the film. Following discussions with its partners in exhibition, Universal will move the North American release date to February 13.

The studio has decided not to show the film in Parkland and the surrounding areas. Outdoor, digital and in-theatre marketing for the film will be suspended in that market.  The studio understands the importance of memorializing the February 14 date as an opportunity to continue to allow the Parkland community to heal.”

The date shift has not been updated on the social media accounts for the film yet.