Universal Pictures has brought forward the release date of Charlie Wilson's War from December 25 to December 21 based on strong tracking from preview screenings.

The studio's marketing and distribution president Adam Fogelson said he anticipated word of mouth to sustain the film throughout the holiday season.

Tom Hanks plays the eponymous US Congressman who persuaded the CIA to provide covert support to the Mujahideen during the Soviet-Afgan War. Mike Nichols directed and Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman also star.