Universal Pictures has pushed back the Bruce Almighty sequel, Evan Almighty, starring Steve Carell from the Friday before Christmas to the Friday before July 4, says Variety.

Previously set to bow Dec. 22 against Fox comedy Night at the Museum and Paramount's kidlit adaptation Charlotte's Web, "Evan Almight" now has the June 29, 2007, date to itself. Five days later, however, Paramount and DreamWorks will open Transformers.

"We saw an opportunity to get prime summer playtime for the sequel to a movie that did great in the summer," said U distrib topper Nikki Rocco.

Bruce Almighty opened to $85.7 million in May of 2003.

Evan Almighty, which started production this week, is the first pic U has dated for summer 2007.

Evan Almighty was released June 22nd, 2007 and stars Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips, Jimmy Bennett, John Goodman, Wanda Sykes. The film is directed by Tom Shadyac.