Scott Cooper's movies always enter awards season as major potential players for the Oscars, but they almost always end up falling just short. The one exception is Crazy Heart, which won an Oscar for Jeff Bridges' performance and Best Original Song. But in the years since, Cooper hasn't been able to replicate the success of his debut feature. Out of the Furnace seemed like it could be a late-in-the-game surprise player in 2013, but that Christian Bale thriller just couldn't get off the ground. And even though Black Mass, Cooper's Johnny Depp-starred biopic of Boston gangster Whitey Bulger, looked to be one of the biggest films of the 2015 awards season, a mixed critical reception led to its downfall- even Depp was ultimately snubbed of a nomination. Two years after that disappointing result, Cooper is re-teaming with Bale for Hostiles, a Western drama about a racist Army officer forced to transport a dying Native American chief. The film is currently without distribution, but that didn't stop the producers from taking the film to the Telluride Film Festival and releasing a brand new trailer. Check out the first look below, and read on for more about the film's possible awards chances.
Here's what I can guarantee- Hostiles will find a distributor. It may be Netflix or it may be a theatrical avenue, but the producers will find a studio to release it. In fact, the film practically has to do so, if the reported $55 million production cost is to be believed. Whether or not the film is an Oscar contender is an entirely different issue. Reviews were all over the map this weekend, and it isn't immediately clear where the film stands. Gregory Ellwood at The Playlist called it "problematic," while Variety's Kris Tapley is sure that Christian Bale's performance is an instant contender for Best Actor. With such a divisive reaction, I can't imagine the film ultimately sneaking into the Best Picture race. But judging by this trailer, Hostiles looks like a drop-dead gorgeous film, an awe-inspiring western that will be simultaneously grim and engrossing. I can see Hostiles garnering a variety of craft nominations, and while he doesn't stand a chance against Gary Oldman and potentially Daniel Day-Lewis, Bale is one of the few genuine contenders we've seen thus far. These are all big question marks, but the film looks good, and I think most people like the end result enough to make it a factor in the race.
The film will next play at the Toronto International Film Festival, a crucial final step before it launches into the Oscar race.
Here's what I can guarantee- Hostiles will find a distributor. It may be Netflix or it may be a theatrical avenue, but the producers will find a studio to release it. In fact, the film practically has to do so, if the reported $55 million production cost is to be believed. Whether or not the film is an Oscar contender is an entirely different issue. Reviews were all over the map this weekend, and it isn't immediately clear where the film stands. Gregory Ellwood at The Playlist called it "problematic," while Variety's Kris Tapley is sure that Christian Bale's performance is an instant contender for Best Actor. With such a divisive reaction, I can't imagine the film ultimately sneaking into the Best Picture race. But judging by this trailer, Hostiles looks like a drop-dead gorgeous film, an awe-inspiring western that will be simultaneously grim and engrossing. I can see Hostiles garnering a variety of craft nominations, and while he doesn't stand a chance against Gary Oldman and potentially Daniel Day-Lewis, Bale is one of the few genuine contenders we've seen thus far. These are all big question marks, but the film looks good, and I think most people like the end result enough to make it a factor in the race.
The film will next play at the Toronto International Film Festival, a crucial final step before it launches into the Oscar race.
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