The recession has claimed another victim: Leonardo DiCaprio’s ‘Shutter Island.’

Paramount Pictures has pushed back the Martin Scorsese directed thriller from October 2, 2009 to February 19, 2010, according to Deadline Hollywood Daily.

Paramount CEO Brad Grey said in a statement, “Our 2009 slate was greenlit in a very different economic climate and as a result we must remain flexible and willing to recalibrate and adapt to a changing environment. This is a situation facing every single studio as we all work through the financial pressures associated with the broader downturn.”

This is a bit of letdown for DiCaprio and Scorsese, whose past shared movie credits include ‘The Departed’ and ‘Gangs of New York.’ There has already been Oscar buzz around ‘Shutter Island’ but now it will not qualify for the 2009 Academy Awards. 

Grey makes clear that the decision wasn’t personal, stating “Leonardo DiCaprio is among the most talented actors working today and Martin Scorsese is not just one of the world’s most significant filmmakers, but also a personal friend.”

He adds that they are “confident that ‘Shutter Island’ is a great anchor to lead off to lead off our 2010 slate.”

(Photo by PR Photos)