Twas less than a week ago when we got the news that Sir Steven Spielberg would be directing a movie with Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep about the publishing of the Pentagon Papers, all in an attempt to win every Oscar and probably create several more categories in the process. Given the timeliness of the movie’s story the studio and the aforementioned stars want to get this movie out quick, like real quick.
Deadline is reporting that the movie, THE POST, is being prioritized by Fox and Amblin and will begin shooting at the end of May. The move is being done to give the film a chance at a qualifying run for the 2018 Oscars, probably releasing sometime during the Christmas season.
Spielberg will be prepping the movie for the shoot while doing post production on READY PLAYER ONE, which will release March of next year. As a result he will push back the start of his Mark Rylance–Oscar Isaac movie, THE KIDNAPPING OF EDGARDO MORTARA, and Hanks will delay the start of his WWII movie, GREYHOUND. Jeez I haven’t a seen a gold rush like since the late 19th century! *drum snares*
Based on a script from Liz Hannah, THE POST focuses on how Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks) and publisher Kay Graham (Streep) worked together and with the New York Times in exposing the Pentagon Papers in 1971, and their fight with the federal government over the right to publish them. Dealing with accusations of treason from the White House, the case was a major victory for freedom of speech and unveiled a plethora of revelations, secrets and details regarding the Vietnam War. This will be the fifth collaboration between Hanks and Sir Stevey, with their last outing, BRIDGE OF SPIES, being nominated for best picture at the 2016 Oscars (taking home best supporting actor for Rylance).
Thinking that this movie could snag a ton of awards is not an outrageous thought. Just last year the top prize went to another film about the power of journalism, SPOTLIGHT, which also happened to focus on Bradlee’s son, Ben Bradlee Jr. (John Slattery). With freedom of speech being more important now (and some would even say under threat) more than ever, THE POST will tackle plenty of issues in a story that I can already hear the critics saying “needed telling.” The movie has all the workings for a great period drama, which Spielberg has a knack for, and I’m always down for some Hanks and Streep. On that note, I’m more than happy to squeeze in a gander between THE LAST JEDI viewings.
Expect THE POST to be out later this year.