Talk around “Precious” and “The Paperboy” director Lee Daniels‘ next effort “The Butler” has ranged from the director himself comparing it to a work-for-hire gig, calling it a “big compromise” from his usually more button pushing fare to Terrence Howard talking about his co-star Oprah Winfrey‘s “tig ol’ bitties” (yes, that’s how he said it). But enough talk, what does the final result look like? Well, here you go…
The Weinstein Company has dropped the first trailer for the movie and is it an Oscar contender? You tell us. Penned by Danny Strong, the movie tells the true tale of Eugene Allen, the late White House butler who served eight presidents during his tenure from 1952 to 1986. Forest Whitaker leads the ensemble cast in the title role, with Winfrey as his wife and Howard in a still-unknown role, with a ridiculous amount of names all in the background: David Oyelowo, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda, John Cusack, Robin Williams, Liam Neeson, Minka Kelly, Alex Pettyfer, Colman Dingo, Vanessa Redgrave, James Marsden, Liev Schreiber and more.
Is this just cameo city? Do the celebrity takes on famous people work? “The Butler” will open later this year.
Looks like one of those fake movies from 30rock.
Looks better than The Paperboy.
Structuring is going to be the key to this film. Flashbacks, historical context, family matters AND sequential US presidents..It can be done, but not sure. Also last time there were this many actors in one place it was 'Nine' which didn't exactly work out so well. And someone needs to ban the music in this trailer, its even worse than the 'BRAAAAHMM!!!!'
I hear the test screenings for this film has been very successful, and Oprah is getting strong Oscar buzz.
I usually believe that Oprah is the devil, but gah-lee does she seem to shine in this as much as Whitaker.
oscar bait 2k13
Like Precious & Paperboy, this is probably going to be a tonally deaf failure. BUT, I am intrigued to see some quality actors pull off C-List impersonations of past Presidents…. though I feel Alan Rickman will be actually be amazing as Reagan cause how could he not?
James Mardsen a JFK is kind of amazing
Starring Vanessa Redgrave as "the old white woman who told a Negro, 'You is kind. You is smart. You is important.'" lol Shout out to Alan Rickman for going full-Jon Voight as Reagan.
Stunt casting at its worst.
This actually looks pretty amazing. What an awesome cast. On my must see LIST.
Well, on one hand, it's nice to see John Cusack finally get a meaty role again (playing Dick Nixon even though he looks nothing like the real man). On the other, this couldn't scream "GIVE ME OSCARS!" any louder if it had the audio engineering of a Metallica concert.
This has Oscar bait written all over it. No, I ain't going to see this shit.
Got a bad tv movie vibe.
Jeez that looks bad.
That looks like a whole lot crammed together, it'll be interesting to see who gets the presidential emphasis; but one thing is for certain: Robin Williams looks closer to Eisenhower than all the others as their counterparts.
dame, is it way to early to talk about oscar 2014.
this looks like such an oscar cotender. or better yet, an oscar winner.
The crap?! Minka Kelly as Jackie Kennedy? ARE YOU SHITTING ME!
Oh God even the trailer is a mess
Lee Daniels should get shit on much more than Baz Lurhmann. Come on Playlist, use your snark wisely!