Much like the fuzzy green bandit of the story, the powers-that-be behind the upcoming remake of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" starring Benedict Cumberbatch have made off with the film's original release date, but promise to deliver the movie in time for the 2018 holiday season.

Universal Pictures announced the animated film during CinemaCon in April with a November 10, 2017 release, but the studio has now shuffled the film to November 9, 2018, according to Variety).

The original Dr. Seuss children's book became an immediate Christmas classic after its publication in 1957, with an animated film starring Boris Karloff and artwork by Chuck Jones doing the same nearly a decade later. In 2000, Ron Howard directed a live-action adaptation featuring Jim Carrey in the titular role. That take received mixed reviews, and many are hoping the Cumberbatch vehicle will fare better.

The 3D-animated film will be produced by Illumination Entertainment, the animation house responsible for "Minions" and "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," and directed by Peter Candeland and Yarrow Cheney. Cheney co-directed the upcoming "The Secret Life of Pets," which comes out July 8.

Fans of Cumberbatch can catch him as the Master of the Mystic Arts in Marvel's "Doctor Strange" on November 4.