Some fans were anticipating their first look at the independent film version of "H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds" to be released this month. But it looks like they'll have to wait until April.

"The push back is due entirely to production," said director Timothy Hines in a press release. "I've worked for seven [years] on this film, and as the release deadline approached, I was faced with a very simple choice: rush the picture or push the release date back and do the movie right."

The film, which is still expected to be released before the Steven Spielberg-Tom Cruise version being planned for Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks, is being produced by Hines' Pendragon Pictures. It was originally scheduled for a theatrical release March 30, but now will take place sometime in April. "This was absolutely the right thing to do," Hines said. "My picture ... is an epic with thousands of special effects. It would have been absurd to cut scenes or rush effects when the movie was so close to completion. The thousands of fan letters that pour in every week reflect that this decision is correct and, in the end, it was the only way to go."

While it is unclear when the film will hit theaters, it is clear when it will be available on DVD. According to Pendragon, the DVD will hit shelves June 15. It's already been presold to 60,000 retail stores in the United States and Canada, studio officials said.

Hines also took time to debunk some of the rumors surrounding the reported competition between his film and the one being directed by Spielberg. According to the release, some rumors had been circulating about the Pendragon production being financed by George Lucas in retaliation for Spielberg cutting into Lucas' Star Wars business, or that Paramount and Dreamworks are actively trying to discredit the independent production that closely follows the time and setting of the original 19th century novel.

"Most of these rumors are laughable," Hines said. "I would love it if George Lucas threw some support in our direction. If Lucas and Spielberg actually do have tension about Spielberg cutting into Star Wars business, I know nothing about that. Concerning our film, it really exists. It will be distributed, and all who wish to see it in the end will have their opportunity to do so."

The independent project was originally planned to be made several years ago, but production was halted following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. It was made with a reported $20 million budget.