It was pretty obvious that James Gray’s Sci-Fi epic “Ad Astra” was not going to open on May 24. There was just one official image and not a trailer or any marketing materials to be found. And yet, 20th Century Fox still had the film listed on the official release schedule until today. The question now is where it will eventually debut.
An opening date still hasn’t been determined, but any fears about Fox (and it’s new corporate owners Disney) dumping the pricey project in August or January were clearly unfounded. Reports indicate that “Astra” is aiming for a fall debut at either the Venice, Telluride, Toronto or New York Film Festivals. Of course, Gray still needs to finish the picture (he’s still in the editing room it seems), but his last film, “The Lost City of Z,” debuted at the New York Film Festival in 2016. “The Immigrant” found its way to Cannes in 2013 and his first film, 1994’s “Little Odessa,” won the Silver Lion in Venice in 1994. Considering Pitt’s still potent global star power, it’s likely Fox will aim for a Venice debut for the publicity value alone, but competition for a slot at Italy’s awards-maker is fierce from both outside and inside the studio.
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We’re gonna make an assumption that Disney wasn’t completely aware of what prestige riches they had on deck when the acquisition of 20th Century Fox was formalized in March. Not only does 20th have “Astra” (which at one time was dated for December 2018), but James Mangold’s “Ford v Ferrari” starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale (in weight loss mode) had both Fox and Disney executives gushing at CinemaCon last month. Fox also has Joe Wright’s “The Woman in the Window” starring Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie and Brian Tyre Henry. That dramatic thriller is based on A.J. Finn‘s bestseller but adapted by none other than Pulitzer prize winner Tracy Letts. 20th had major Oscar success with “Bohemian Rhapsody,” but the majority of that marketing team was let go following the merger. It will be intriguing to see how Disney’s marketing execs shape campaigns for films somewhat out of their usual wheelhouse. The “Black Panther” FYC materials were strong, but you could argue they came on too late in phase two to get the Marvel Studios feature closer to the Best Picture finish line.
The Mouse House also has the independently run Fox Searchlight (it’s kept its marketing and distribution teams intact) with potentially four prestige releases. Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit” with Scarlett Johansson and Sam Rockwell, Noah Hawley’s “Lucy in the Sky” with Natalie Portman, the English-language “Force Majure” adaptation “Downhill” with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell (if it’s done in time) and Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” with Frances McDormand.
To say awards season will make its mark between Burbank and Century City is something of an understatement. Alan Horn and Bob Iger are gonna have a lot of awards receptions on their schedules this fall.