"The Monuments Men" pushed back to 2014

George Clooney's World War II drama "The Monuments Men" is being pushed to 2014 and out of this year's awards season.

A spokesman for Sony Pictures said Wednesday the movie will now be released in the first quarter of next year, instead of its planned release date of Dec. 18. "Monuments Men," which Clooney directed, co-wrote and stars in, had been expected to be a top Oscar contender.

The film could still compete for awards next year, but the early-in-the-year positioning suggests Sony doesn't expect it to. Sony said the film is being delayed so Clooney can finish the film's extensive visual effects.

The film is about a WWII platoon whose mission is to rescue artworks from the Nazis. It stars Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, John Goodman, Huge Bonneville and Cate Blanchett.

The Los Angeles Times first reported the release date change.