Soloist Silenced Yet Again: AFI Fest is scrambling this morning after Paramount yanked The Soloist from the event’s opening-night premiere slot — not a totally unforeseen move considering the film’s recent bump to 2009, but one the festival and studio had both maintained would not happen so close to AFI’s Oct. 23 bow. For now, anyhow, the studio’s other awards-season dumpee Defiance is still on the fest slate for closing night. We actually wouldn’t be shocked to see that film named the new opener and something like Frost/Nixon or Twilight moved into the closing-night spot, but who knows — festival reps are mum for now, saying only that the new selection will be announced later today. Call your shots. [AFI Fest]