Just weird/found it curious - choosing the Holiday season too & then doing their first Limited release (ever?).
If they have ~2000 theatres now where all their releases go, they have a system that works for them. Why break it?
Its assuring them ~$4m as base (ie minimum) BO with some films going upto $12-15m & 1 every 2 years or so breaking out above $25m.
Are they planning to expand later?