Release Date: December 17, 2010
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Directed By: James L. Brooks
Quick Thoughts: It’s been six years since James L. Brooks directed a feature film and 13 years since he directed an Oscar winner (As Good as It Gets), but there’s no doubt Oscar watchers will have their eyes on How Do You Know?, a love triangle story starring Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd and Owen Wilson with a December 17 release. Rumors have Jack Nicholson starring, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet to my knowledge.
Release Date: Release date not yet set
Distributor: Focus Features
Directed By: Cary Fukunaga
Quick Thoughts: All signs say Focus Features won’t be releasing Jane Eyre until 2011 but after the attention Cary Fukunaga received for the tragic Sin Nombre and the cast he’s lining up for the new feature adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s novel means I’ll be keeping it on the list until it’s confirmed for a 2011 release. The film will star Alice in Wonderland‘s Mia Wasikowska in the title role and she’ll be supported by a fleet of names including Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins and Imogen Poots.
Release Date: Release date not yet set
Distributor: The Weinstein Co.
Directed By: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Ehle, Derek Jacobi
Quick Thoughts: Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech has Oscar written all over it. Chronicling the story of King George VI’s effort to overcome his nervous stammer with the assistance of speech therapist Lionel Logue the film has the Weinstein Co. in its corner as well as a major 2010 Best Actor contender in Colin Firth playing the lead role of George VI. Firth made a big push for Best Actor last year with his excellent performance in A Single Man and in The King’s Speech he is surrounded with a supporting cast that should only make him look better such as Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce, Michael Gambon, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Ehle and Derek Jacobi. Beyond being a Best Picture, Director and acting contender, this one is also looking at art direction, costumes and makeup as categories it’s likely to be in contention.
Release Date: Release date not yet set
Distributor: Lionsgate
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Dennis Quaid, Michael Douglas, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Michael Angarano, Antonio Banderas, Bill Paxton
Quick Thoughts: Like most everything from Steven Soderbergh we will treat Knockout like a potential Oscar contender until the film proves otherwise. While Soderbergh has cast MMA Fighter Gina Carano in the lead role he has surrounded her by some great names including Ewan McGregor, Dennis Quaid, Michael Douglas and Michael Fassbender meaning we could have a great film, a surprise performance and some supporting roles that could generate some award attention.
