'Doctor Dolittle' moves up release date to avoid 'Star Wars'

The release date of "Doctor Dolittle", starring Robert Downey Jr, has been preponed and the film will now release on April 12, 2019.

Previously known as "The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle", the project was initially slated to open on May 24, 2019, reported Ace Showbiz.

Universal changed "Doctor Dolittle" release schedule after Disney and Lucasfilm set the date for its massive project, "Star Wars: Episode IX".

The "Star Wars" movie, which is directed by Colin Trevorrow, has been scheduled to hit US theatres on the Memorial Day Weekend on May 24, 2019.

"Doctor Dolitle" is based on 1920's children books by Hugh Lofting.

In the upcoming movie, Downey Jr is set to play the titular gifted physician who can talk with animals.

The character was portrayed by Rex Harrison in 1967's movie and played by Eddie Murphy in 1998's version.

Harrison-starring "Doctor Dolittle" was set in Victorian England and nominated for Best Picture at Oscars, whereas Murphy's film was set in modern times and grossed USD 294 million worldwide.

Universal Pictures will team up with director-writer Stephen Gaghan for the upcoming "Doctor Dolittle". Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will serve as producers alongside Susan Downey.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)