Rob Reiner’s LBJ starring Woody Harrelson to get a North American release

Last Updated on July 31, 2021

Do any of you have a family member that you think resembles a celebrity? I'm only asking because I certainly do. I don't have a photo of him to attach to this article, so you'll have to take my word for it, but my cousin Danny totally looks like Woody Harrelson. If you know someone who strongly resembles a celebrity, let us know in the comments section below.

Dean Devlin’s Electric Entertainment announced today that it has acquired all rights for the U.S. and Canada for director Rob Reiner’s LBJ starring Woody Harrelson in the role of the histrionic 36th President. The film also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Richard Jenkins, Bill Pullman, Jeffrey Donovan and Michael Stahl-David, and was produced by Reiner, Matthew George, Liz Glotzer, Trevor White and Tim White. As it would happen, LBJ already had its world premiere back at the Toronto International Film Festival, and is now set for a theatrical release in 2017.

The plot to LBJ is as follows: After powerful Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson (Woody Harrelson) loses the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination to Senator John F. Kennedy (Jeffrey Donovan), he agrees to be his young rival’s running mate. But once they win the election, despite his extensive legislative experience and shrewd political instincts, Johnson finds himself sidelined in the role of vice president. That all changes on Nov. 22, 1963, when Kennedy is assassinated and Johnson, with his devoted wife Lady Bird (Jennifer Jason Leigh) by his side, is suddenly thrust into the presidency. As the nation mourns, Johnson must contend with longtime adversary Attorney General Bobby Kennedy (Michael Stahl-David) and one-time mentor Georgia Senator Richard Russell (Richard Jenkins) as he seeks to honor JFK’s legacy by championing the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Reiner is currently directing the Iraq War political drama SHOCK AND AWE from LBJ screenwriter Joey Hartstone, which stars Jessica Biel, Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, James Marsden and Milla Jovovich. This marks the latest release for Electric Entertainment’s newly created domestic division, which also released the Tribeca Film Festival title THE BOOK OF LOVE starring Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Biel and Maisie Williams on January 13th, 2017.

Normally, I'm not the type to invite anymore political drama into my life than is absolutely necessary, though the hook of Harrelson stepping into the role of Lydon B. Johnson could sway me.  

LBJ is looking to hold office in theaters some time later in 2017.