Start Writing

Warner Bros. 'Just Mercy' will hit theaters right in time for Awards consideration

GregHarmon GregHarmon Managing Editor Will Michael B. Jordan land his second unofficial Oscar nom? (I'm pretending Fruitvale Station was his first)

In a not-so-surprising move, Warner Bros has given Destin Cretton’s upcoming civil rights drama a vote of confidence by moving its theatrical release for Awards consideration.

On Tuesday, Warner Bros. announced Just Mercy - starring Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, and Jamie Foxx, will hit theaters in limited release on December 25 - Christmas Day - before opening nationwide on January 10.

Warner Bros. move grants Just Mercy eligibility for the 2019 Academy Awards having checked all the boxes, including a theatrical run for seven consecutive days and prior to the Academy's December 31st deadline. Of course, none of this means anything if Just Mercy is not well-received among the critic's circles. But as we have learned from years past, Oscar voters are not critics and not all voters will have - or choose to have - as much exposure to films cinephiles would expect them to see. Alas, I digress.

Warner Bros. true-life drama is based on Bryan Stevenson’s 2014 New York Times Bestseller “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.” Michael B. Jordan is set to portray Stevenson, a Harvard grad and renowned civil rights attorney in a story that chronicles his first case defending Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx), a small businessman who was sentenced to death for a crime he didn’t commit.

Stevenson's book features over two dozen figures involved in McMillian's case, including Stevenson's colleague Eva Ansley (Brie Larson), a critical figure instrumental in exonerating McMillian. Tim Blake Nelson will play Ralph Myers, the man whose false accusation sends Walter to death row. And O’Shea Jackson will play Anthony Ray Hinton, another real-life figure who is represented by Stevenson’s team throughout a 15 year period while serving on death row.

Can you smell what the 2020 Oscars are cooking! We’re here for it regardless.

Posted in Just Mercy,

GregHarmon GregHarmon Managing Editor

read more or join