Ever since the all-star cast was announced for Netflix’s upcoming drama, “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” which is written and directed by Aaron Sorkin, the film has become one of our most anticipated releases of 2020. And considering the streaming service is the distributor behind the affair, thankfully, the uncertainty of the theatrical experience during the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t going to stop the film from being released this fall.
And as seen in the new first-look photos from Sorkin’s upcoming drama (via Vanity Fair), starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Eddie Redmayne, it appears that we have quite a bit to look forward to in the period film, which tackles the story of the Chicago 7, a group of protestors that faced trial after being arrested for taking part in an anti-war demonstration that goes a bit off the rails.
However, despite the title of the film, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” is about much more than the actual legal battle. In fact, according to the filmmaker, that’s just one part of the drama.
“For me that’s a short!” Sorkin said. “It’s a great courtroom drama.”
Another part of the feature is the lead-up to the trial, as the filmmaker described, “How did we go from what was supposed to be a peaceful anti-war demonstration to this incredibly bloody and violent confrontation?” The other remaining third of the feature will focus on the bond between Baron Cohen and Redmayne’s characters, Abbie Hoffman and Tom Hayden, who, the filmmaker explained, are “two people who didn’t get along very well at the beginning and came to have a lot of respect for each other.”
As seen in the rest of the first look pictures, there are a ton of accomplished actors that join Baron Cohen and Redmayne in the new feature. Those names include Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Michael Keaton, and Jeremy Strong.
Netflix is set to release “The Trial of the Chicago 7” right in time for awards season consideration on October 16. You can see all the first look photos below.
