Deja Vu Release Year and Core Facts
The film Deja Vu was released in 2006, with a wide theatrical launch on November 22, 2006 in the United States. The movie was produced by Jerry Bruckheimer Films and distributed by Touchstone Pictures, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The project was directed by Tony Scott, with a screenplay by Bill Marsilii and Terry Rossio. The principal photography began in late 2005, and the studio officially announced the completed film in the fall of 2006, targeting the holiday season for release. For more details on the production timeline, you can refer to the film's official studio materials on the Touchstone Pictures page Touchstone Pictures.
The 2006 release positioned Deja Vu as a major studio thriller during the competitive November box office window. The film starred Denzel Washington as ATF Agent Doug Carlin and featured a supporting cast that included Paula Patton, Val Kilmer, and Jim Caviezel. The plot centers on a federal agent using experimental surveillance technology to travel back in time and prevent a terrorist attack on a ferry in New Orleans. The film's runtime is 126 minutes, and it was rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some language. The box office performance data and theatrical release strategy are documented by industry trackers such as Box Office Mojo Box Office Mojo.
Production and Release Timeline Details
Filming and Post-Production Schedule
Principal photography for Deja Vu started in January 2005, with location shooting in New Orleans, Louisiana, and additional scenes filmed in Los Angeles, California. The production team utilized a mix of practical effects and early CGI to create the time-travel and surveillance sequences. The post-production phase wrapped in mid-2006, allowing the studio to complete the visual effects and final sound mixing before the November release date. The film's visual effects were handled by companies such as Digital Domain, which is referenced in the credits and industry breakdowns Digital Domain.
Marketing and Distribution Strategy
The marketing campaign for Deja Vu launched in the third quarter of 2006, with trailers debuting in theaters and online platforms ahead of the November 22 premiere. The studio leveraged the star power of Denzel Washington and the disaster-action genre to drive pre-release awareness. The film opened in 3,125 theaters across North America on its opening weekend, securing a top position at the box office. The home video release followed in early 2007, with DVD and Blu-ray editions distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, a division of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.
Cast, Reception, and Long-Term Impact
Key Cast and Character Details
Denzel Washington portrayed ATF Agent Doug Carlin, the lead role driving the time-travel investigation narrative. Paula Patton played Claire Kuchever, the woman at the center of the case, while Val Kilmer appeared as Agent Paul Pryzwarra, a mentor figure within the federal agency. Jim Caviezel played the antagonist, Carroll Oerstadt, the terrorist responsible for the ferry bombing. The supporting cast included actors such as Adam Goldberg, Elden Henson, and Bruce Greenwood, all credited in the official film materials and cast listings IMDb.
Critical Reception and Box Office Results
Deja Vu received mixed reviews from critics upon its 2006 release, with praise for the action sequences and Denzel Washington's performance, but some criticism directed at the time-travel logic. The film holds a score of