This Just In! Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Nightmare Alley’ Trailer

On September 16, 2021September 16, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Trailers, Upcoming Flix5 Comments

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It’s been four years since Guillermo del Toro won a Best Picture Oscar for The Shape of Water, and this is the first feature film he’s worked on since. Of course it’s not the only film that had to shut down because of the pandemic. Per this Indiewire article, they stopped the shoot when shooting was halfway done in the Spring of 2020.

Though he’s known for his horror films, I’m intrigued by the fact that Nightmare Alley is a noir thriller. The story is based on a novel by William Lindsay Gresham published in 1946. Per Wiki, it’s a study of the lowest depths of showbiz and its sleazy inhabitants—the dark, shadowy world of a second rate carnival filled with hustlers, scheming grifters, and Machiavellian femmes fatales.

Full synopsis:

An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.

Behold it’s first trailer:

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Now this is the kind of film I’d watch just for the cast! Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, and David Strathairn. Wow!! Apparently Cooper replaced Leo DiCaprio in the lead role, which is fine as I quite like the pairing of him with Blanchett who looks sultry as a femme fatale psychiatrist.

Is he man or beast?

Willem Dafoe’s narration repeatedly asks that question about one of the unexplained mysteries of the universe… the carnival world is inherently bizarre and mystical, filled with freaky ‘wonders of nature.’ But perhaps there’s a twist here? Sometimes it’s the ones considered regular/ordinary who turns out to be the ‘beast.’ I love that this trailer keeps us in suspense and not give anything away.

Now, I haven’t seen the original film, but I watched the trailer 1947’s version last night, starring Tyrone Power. This one reportedly isn’t a remake of that, but a re-adaptation of the novel. I love how from the film has that Old Hollywood look about them, I bet even it would look just as stunning in black and white.

One thing for sure, it’s going to be a visual feast!! The production design alone is freakin’ amazing, which is to be expected for del Toro… everything he’s done always look so hauntingly beautiful. As a big fan of period films, I can’t wait to marvel at the set pieces, costumes, lighting, etc. when it comes out.

Nightmare Alley is scheduled to be released on December 17, 2021… I can hardly wait!! This is definitely the film to go to the cinema for!

What do you think of the trailer?

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Musings on The Matrix Resurrections trailer

On September 9, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Trailers, Upcoming Flix5 Comments

Matrix-Resurrections

I have to admit I’m not one of those people who have been hugely anticipating this movie. Heck, I had not watched the two sequels after the first movie The Matrix. I might have seen clips of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, but I could hardly remember anything about either of them. Well, 22 years after the original 1999 movie, we’ve got The Matrix Resurrections.

Behold the trailer with all its neon-lights glory:

Here are 21 thoughts after watching this trailer:

So Neo’s actual name is Thomas?? Somehow I’ve completely forgotten about that … Speaking of forgetting, does Neo have amnesia or something?
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Doogie Howser has now graduated to become Neo’s shrink??
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Always nice seeing Keanu Reeves on screen… I find it amusing that he looks like John Wick with his scruff and long hair, it’s as if I’m watching John Wick in a sci-fi thriller.
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Awwww… he’s got rubber ducky on his head when he’s relaxing in the bath! [swoon]
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First question that entered my mind… Where is Laurence Fishburne??! I absolutely loved him as Morpheus in the original. This article seems to have a theory as to why he’s absent in this sequel (something to do with an online game??) but whatever it is, I’m bummed that we won’t be seeing him in this movie.
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Now, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (a talented actor whose star continues to rise) is seen dressed like Morpheus with his trademark round glasses holding the red pill. He’s also seen doing the martial arts moves with Neo… but is his character young Morpheus??
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Which brings me to another question about the timeline of this movie… is this a sequel, prequel or some kind of reboot?? I barely remember anything about The Matrix Revolutions, but apparently Neo and Trinity died in that 3rd movie, so how are they alive and well here?
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Is there time travel involved or some kind of multi-verse? Neo seems confused as to what’s happening to him, and he’s throwing away all the blue pills?? So is this the same Neo from the original?
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In the scene where Neo meets up with Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss seems to be drinking from the same fountain of youth as her co-star), they don’t remember each other but have a déjà vu moment. It kind of looks like a rom-com meet-cute!
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I had a giggle seeing this scene of Neo in an elevator full of young people and they’re all looking at their phones! He looks up and see even more people doing the same.
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Who is that man reflected in the mirror when Neo is looking at it?
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So it looks like Lana Wachowski directs this one without his sibling Lilly, though she is still credited as the writer. I wonder why that is…
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This has got to be the only franchise in Hollywood (or even the world) where the directors of the original franchise returns to direct as a new gender.
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Well, it won’t be The Matrix without some Kung-Fu involved… Yahya’s character hints that they had known each other in the past, though here Neo seems to have the upper hand.
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Looks like Neo’s got a new guide, this time in the form of Jessica Henwick (who I first saw in The Defenders series) as she’s got the white rabbit tattoo on her arm.
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Tons of robots and machinery in this new world, which is to be expected, but THIS reminds me of Spider-man’s Doc Ock’s tentacles.
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Regardless of when or where this is set, the important thing Neo’s still able to dodge bullets…
Are Neo and Trinity able to fly now??
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The shape-shifting agents in black suits are back, but man I’m going to miss Hugo Weaving. His line delivery is so iconic!
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Who is Jonathan Groff playing? I only knew him as Kristoff’s voice from Frozen, ahah. Well the character is wearing a sharp suit which immediately makes me think he could be Agent Smith’s ally or boss? It doesn’t seem like a friendly meeting and Neo has a skeptical/worried look on his face.
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There is SO much action going on in this trailer it was dizzying! But one thing for sure the visuals look amazing! It’s interesting to see TWO cinematographers credited, Daniele Massaccesi and John Toll, both of them had worked with the Wachowskis in Cloud Atlas.Even now with more sci-fi films starting to look the same with the vivid colors and neon lights, The Matrix was the first franchise that revolutionized cinema’s visual effects. I mean the ‘bullet-time’ technique alone has been copied a bunch of times by other films/video games.
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I sure hope the story will be as compelling as the visual spectacle… at least makes it something worth revisiting again after two decades!

The Matrix Resurrections will be released in theaters and on HBO Max December 22.

What do you think of The Matrix Resurrections trailer?

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This Just In! I’M YOUR MAN trailer starring Dan Stevens

On August 24, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Trailers, Upcoming Flix9 Comments

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I’ve been waiting for this film since it premiered at Berlinale back in March. It’s original title is Ich bin dein Mensch, a German sci-fi romantic drama film written and directed by Maria Schrader. The German filmmaker is perhaps known to US audiences from directing the Netflix series Unorthodox (which my bestie raved about but I still need to see).

I’ve got to admit I was intrigued by the fabulous Dan Stevens playing a humanoid robot named Tom… speaking German no less!

Full synopsis:

In order to obtain research funds for her studies, a scientist accepts an offer to participate in an extraordinary experiment: for three weeks, she is to live with a humanoid robot, created to make her happy.

Awwww… I’m already in love with this trailer already. I mean yes, there have been a ton of movies about humans falling for robots, but a sci-fi rom-com on human/droid relationship is still rare. There’s something so charming and funny about the matter-of-fact way Maren Eggert‘s Alma responds to Tom… ‘Oh he’s not a man.’ And that bit when the shrink (or perhaps someone from the lab) confronts her that she’s been treating Tom like a machine is hilarious! Eggert won the Berlinale’s Silver Bear for her performance here.

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Now, can we talk about just how multi-talented Dan Stevens is? My goodness, I had no idea he speaks German, but from a quick read on Wiki, the Brit is apparently fluent in German AND French. He’s not only super easy on the eyes but also proven to be such a versatile actor. He’s also got great comic talent on top of his dramatic chops, he’s such a scene-stealer in EuroVision and the dude has a nice singing voice as well as dance moves. Looks like his comic talents and charismatic presence is put to good use here and I’m glad he continues to do intriguing, off-the-beaten path projects.

Check out this clip where Tom first meet Alma and she starts quizzing him about spiritual, philosophical as well as math and Tom passed in flying colors, natch! At first glance, I’d jump at the chance to live for a few weeks with a robot who looks like Stevens (or my current crush Richard Madden) who’s been designed to be my perfect life partner, but in reality, I probably would be creeped out by a handsome plaything with no soul, ahah. As with any movie about humans + robots, I’m always intrigued by the thought-provoking dialog… after all, there’s always the pressing question about ‘what it means to be human.’

I haven’t seen a good rom-com lately and I often find European rom-coms are better and has more to say than most of what Hollywood churn out.

I’M YOUR MAN will be released in US theaters on September 24. Can’t wait!!

What do you think of the trailer?

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Marvel’s ETERNALS – final trailer!

On August 19, 2021August 19, 2021 By ruthIn Flix News, Flix Trailers7 Comments

Wow, can’t believe it’s been three months since Marvel released the first ETERNALS trailer. Well, since Shang-Chi‘s first critical reactions have been mostly positive, I guess the studio did not want to lose momentum for Phase 4. So behold ETERNALS’ final trailer!

The Eternals, a race of immortal beings with superhuman powers who have secretly lived on Earth for thousands of years, reunite to battle the evil Deviants.

Well, in my last post about the first trailer, I pointed out how Disney did not mention the fact that Chloe Zhao is an Oscar-winner, well they finally highlighted that this time around, woot!!

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She’s also credited as one of the screenwriters here, which shows just what a multi-faceted talent she truly is.

Now, before I get to the entire trailer, can I just say… Richard Madden!!! 😍 Has he ever looked more beautiful than in this trailer?! Even his name IKARIS is super cool! Woo wee… I’m glad I saw this trailer sitting down … [fan-self]

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Sorry, now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, ehm … the visuals are simply astounding!! I love the grand, majestic, mystical, ethereal [insert your own adjective here] of this movie!! Shot by DP Ben Davis, I’m already waiting w/ bated breath about seeing this in as big a screen as possible! Wish we still have an IMAX theater here in the Twin Cities.

I also love the choice of um, ethereal music here as opposed to the ‘The End Of The World‘ they used in the first one. I don’t know if this is Ramin Djawadi‘s score or not, but in any case I’m excited he’s scoring this!

Story-wise, given these are largely battles involving Celestial beings, it’s good that the humans don’t get lost in the shuffle… Kit Harrington seems to be one of the faces of the human race here as Dane Whitman and he asked the questions on everyone’s mind to Gemma Chan‘s Sersi…

Dane: “Why didn’t you guys help fight Thanos?
Or any war and all the terrible things throughout history.”

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Sersi: “We’re told not to interfere with human conflicts unless the Deviants are involved.”

Dane: “By who?”

Then Sersi looked up with kind of a worried/horrified look on her face and we see THIS creature… I’m not sure what that thing is exactly (sorry I haven’t actually read ETERNALS comics), but I’m curious to find out!

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So who are the Deviants?

Well, thanks to Games Radar, here’s some info about the Eternals’ arch enemies:

The Deviants’ history dates back as far as the Eternals’ and, strangely, humanity itself. Their existence is down to the Celestials, a group of extremely powerful cosmic beings who possess the ability to create and destroy life. The Celestials visited Earth millions of years ago when humanity’s ancestors roamed the globe. Ziran the Tester, the Celestials’ geneticist, experimented on a group of primates and created the Deviant subspecies.

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Unlike the Eternals (who are attractive, immortal beings) or ordinary humans (who are genetically balanced), the Deviants are abnormal. They’re often referred to as “the changing people” due to mutations in their DNA – mutations them leave the Deviants with odd coloured skin and other deformations. No two Deviants are alike, and those considered too mutated, or not mutated enough, are exiled or killed. The Deviants’ jealousy over the Eternals’ physical beauty and defined superpowers has locked the two species in a never-ending war – a millennia-long battle that is certain to form the plot of the MCU movie.

In the first trailer, they also left the funny bit to the end and kept the most part serious, even solemn… we’re talking about an ominous apocalyptic threat after all. Despite the Eternals being Celestial beings, they seem to be living like regular humans… going to a laundromat, playing board games, etc. I LOVE seeing Brian Tyree Henry here, I’ve always been impressed with him no matter what movie (even Godzilla vs. Kong!) Poor IKEA won’t be happy with that final trailer scene, ahah… but really, even a relatively fit human can easily break an IKEA table like that 😀

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I think this trailer answers a bit more questions compared to this first trailer, but not bog us down with too much info. Surely it does a great job making me even more excited to see this come NOVEMBER 5!

So, what do you think of ETERNALS’ final trailer?

This Just In! Ridley Scott’s HOUSE OF GUCCI trailer

On July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Trailers, Upcoming Flix22 Comments

Dayum, Sir Ridley Scott is one busy filmmaker!! I feel like I’ve been posting his film just the other day, The Last Duel, and I’m feeling de-ja-vu as we’ve got Adam Driver in the lead role once again. Eccellente! I think Adam should be in EVERY MOVIE, ehm.

Full synopsis:

Spanning three decades of love, betrayal, decadence, revenge, and ultimately murder, we see what a name means, what it’s worth, and how far a family will go for control.

Woo wee!! That’s one heck of a stylish trailer, it even starts out like a flashy Gucci commercial. I love Blondie’s Heart Of Glass song and now it’s stuck in my brain all over again. These fashion houses sure have real-life drama as intricate and juicy as their haute couture creations. The story is based on a book of the same name by Sara Gay Forden, she has covered the Italian fashion industry from Milan for more than 15 years. Her book centers on the brutal 1995 murder of Maurizio Gucci (Driver), the grandson of the Gucci company founder, by his ex-wife.

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Truth is stranger than fiction. I was actually just reading about what happened to Maurizio Gucci not too long ago, and his former wife Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) who served in jail for 18 years for hiring the hitman to kill him. Can’t say I have much sympathy for Maurizio though, as reportedly he left Patricia for a much younger woman, Paola Franchi (Camille Cottin) and lied that he was going on a business trip. Interesting to see Driver being cast as a narcissistic, cheating husband once again as he seems like a real nice bloke in real life. Clearly acting as someone opposite from you is far more fun.

I’ve been doing an Adam Driver marathon lately (which I’ll blog about in a couple of days!) so I’m super excited to see more of him in two highly-anticipated movies later this year! I love how he continually switch things up, this role can’t be more different from the one he’s doing in The Last Duel.

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I almost didn’t recognize Jared Leto and Jeremy Irons if it weren’t for the character posters, wow! Gaga is chewing the scenery as Patrizia, that last part of the trailer… ‘Father, Son and House of Gucci’ is a hoot! Per IMDb trivia, a slew of actresses the likes of Angelina Jolie, Anne Hathaway, Marion Cotillard, Penélope Cruz, Margot Robbie and Natalie Portman were considered for the role before Gaga was cast. I was really impressed with her in A Star Is Born, and this looks like a role she’s born to play.

Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci

Jeremy Irons as Rodolfo Gucci

The star-studded cast also includes Al Pacino as the patriarch of the fashion empire, as well as Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma, the clairvoyant friend of Patrizia who helped organized the hit on Maurizio. It’s inspired casting given Hayek is the wife of François-Henri Pinault, the billionaire Kering CEO who now owns the the Gucci brand.

Al Pacino as Aldo Gucci

Salma Hayek as Pina Auriemma

I think since the on-set photos were circulating on social media back in Spring, practically everyone just became obsessed w/ this movie. I tried not to look at too many set photos and keep my enthusiasm in check until we actually see a trailer. Well now I am officially intrigued, I’ve seen this trailer a bazillion times in under two hours, ahah!

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But apparently not everyone is enthused about this movie, according to AP News, the Gucci family isn’t keen on the movie, one of Maurizio’s cousins was quoted as saying that it was “… stealing the identity of a family to make a profit, to increase the income of the Hollywood system.” It’s always tricky to portray such a larger-than-life story based on a real family, though given the notoriety surrounding Maurizio’s murder, this is certainly the kind of twisted, glittering tale made for Tinseltown. Surely we can expect glamorous European locations, glitzy parties, fabulous fashion in this movie to go along with the wild and dark side of life in excess.

House of Gucci will be released on November 24.

What do you think of the trailer?

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This Just In! Ridley Scott’s THE LAST DUEL trailer

On July 20, 2021July 29, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Trailers, Upcoming Flix10 Comments

Oohhh, what have we here? It’s been a while since I heard news about this medieval drama directed by Ridley Scott. Production was delayed in the Spring of 2020 due to what else, the Coronavirus pandemic. What’s most notable about it is that it features the reunion of Oscar-winning BFFs Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, both as screenwriters AND co-stars.

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Nicole Holofcener is also credited for writing the script, she’s too was Oscar-nominated for her screenplay Can You Ever Forgive Me? in 2019. Billed as a historical drama, the story is based on The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France, a 2004 book by American author Eric Jager which chronicles the last officially recognized judicial duel fought in France.

Full synopsis:

In 14th-century France, Marguerite de Thibouville claims she’s been raped by her husband’s best friend Jacques Le Gris. Her husband, knight Jean de Carrouges challenges his friend and squire, to trial by combat. It is the last legally sanctioned duel in France’s history.

It’s surely tough being a woman in the Middle Ages where as one female character puts it ‘The truth does not matter, there’s only the power of men.’ So for Marguerite to come forward with such a despicable accusation, she is also risking her own life as if her husband lost the duel, she would have been burned at the stake as punishment for her false accusation.

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I’m a big fan of period pieces, so this is SO right up my alley. Of course given the huge-budget for Hollywood epics, star power matter more than historical accuracy, hence not a single French actor (or even French-speaking ones) in the main cast. Apparently Damon and Affleck were supposed to play the duelist Jean and Jacques, but Adam Driver ended up being cast in Affleck’s role because of scheduling conflict with his commitment to Adrian Lyne‘s Deep Water. That would’ve been a boon for the marketing department as the two lead characters were former best-friends-turned-enemies. They also have matching bad-movie-hairstyle here, complete with bleached blond hair and… Medieval mullets? New hair memes beckons!

I LOVE Jodie Comer since Killing Eve and I also loved her in The White Princess as Elizabeth of York, so this is certainly isn’t her first foray into historical dramas. ’tis also the year for long-haired Adam Driver and I’m SO here for it!! I’m seeing ANNETTE next week (wahoo!!) and for sure I’ll be seeing this on the big screen later this Fall! In fact, he’ll have TWO films coming out this Fall that’s both directed by Ridley-Scott, the other one is the highly-anticipated House Of Gucci.

The unstoppable 84-year-old British filmmaker is no stranger to historical epics, apparently his directorial debut The Duellists (1977) is also a duel between two people that’s also set in France. His longtime collaborator Dariusz Wolsk (Prometheus, The Counselor, The Martian) is back as cinematographer. The visuals look appropriately dirty, gritty and dark, a la Gladiator and Robin Hood, with filming locations include France and Ireland.

The Last Duel opens in theaters nationwide on October 15.

What do you think of the trailer?

A24 presents – Legends Never Die: An Oral History of The Green Knight

On June 23, 2021 By ruthIn Flix Posters, Flix Trailers12 Comments

I’ve been anticipating this movie for over a year now! I first blogged about The Green Knight in February 2020, but of course it’s delayed because of Covid. Well now the wait is nearly over! From director David Lowery and starring Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, and Joel Edgerton, this medieval fantasy opens ONLY in theaters on July 30!

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A24 just released this fascinating and helpful video in anticipation of its release. Narrated by Ralph Ineson (who plays the title role in the movie), it’s a crash course on the 14th century epic poem that inspired the upcoming film. Whether you’re an Arthurian expert or a little green, it’s worth a watch.

Here’s the synopsis again:

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, THE GREEN KNIGHT tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

Check out these new stills from the film:

Per the film’s press notes, this is not the knight of knights of the epic poem. “My Gawain is someone who is not terrible—he’s no wretched scum—but he isn’t the best version of himself he could be,” says Lowery. “I love protagonists who come to realize the ways in which they are flawed.” [Lowery] also wanted the character to resonate with today’s interrogation of modern masculinity. “Issues of masculinity are front and center in modern discourse and it’s caused many of us to look at ourselves under a microscope and ponder where we might have lost our way, overlooked things, or done wrong,” says Lowery.

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After considering dozens of male leads, Lowery met with Dev Patel (The Personal History of David Copperfield, Slumdog Millionaire), an actor known for his winsome, irrepressible and upbeat characters, typically rife with gangly charm. Lowery’s early drafts of the script featured a protagonist that was on the verge of being irredeemable, and while Patel loved his take on the medieval classic, he wanted a glimmer of redemption in the protagonist, in keeping with his body of work.

“Dev had some really wonderful notes on the script, and I tweaked the story accordingly,” says Lowery. Adds Patel: “Gawain is sort of this spoiled brat, and I told David before I signed on that if we’re going to go on this extraordinary journey with him—amid sparse dialogue and many instances of questionable behavior—there has to be something that makes you root for him through this adversity.”

I’m so thrilled to see Dev as Gawain and it’s definitely not the first time he’s tackled a role normally reserved for Caucasian actors. His casting just makes me even more excited to watch this Arthurian legend adaptation, and the fact that it’s a lesser known Arthurian stories compared to Lancelot and Guinevere, the wizard Merlin, etc. makes it even more fascinating!