The French Dispatch

The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (known simply as The French Dispatch) is an upcoming American comedy-drama film written and directed by Wes Anderson from a story written by Anderson, Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness, and Jason Schwartzman. The film will focus as one of three different storylines[4] on the French foreign bureau of a fictional Kansas newspaper.

The French Dispatch
Teaser poster
Directed byWes Anderson
Produced by
Screenplay byWes Anderson
Story by
Starring
Music byAlexandre Desplat
CinematographyRobert Yeoman
Edited byAndrew Weisblum
Production
companies
Distributed bySearchlight Pictures
Release date
  • July 2021 (2021-07)[1]
Running time
103 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$25 million[3]

The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Benicio del Toro, Adrien Brody, Tilda Swinton, Léa Seydoux, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Lyna Khoudri, Jeffrey Wright, Mathieu Amalric, Steve Park, Bill Murray and Owen Wilson. The film's supporting cast features several of Anderson's recurring collaborators, including Liev Schreiber, Edward Norton, Willem Dafoe, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, and Anjelica Huston, among others.

Premise and background

The film has been described as "a love letter to journalists set at an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional 20th-century French city", centering on three storylines.[5] It brings to life a collection of tales published in the eponymous The French Dispatch, based in the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé.[6] The film is inspired by Anderson's love of The New Yorker, and some characters and events in the film are based on real-life equivalents from the magazine.[7] One of the three storylines centers on the May 68 student occupation protests, inspired by Mavis Gallant's two-part article "The Events in May: A Paris Notebook".[7][8] Another storyline, featuring Adrien Brody's character of Julien Cadazio, is based on "The Days of Duveen", a six-part feature in The New Yorker on art dealer Lord Duveen.[7][9]

When speaking to French publication Charente Libre in April 2019, Anderson said: "The story is not easy to explain, [It’s about an] American journalist based in France [who] creates his magazine. It is more a portrait of this man, of this journalist who fights to write what he wants to write. It's not a movie about freedom of the press, but when you talk about reporters you also talk about what’s going on in the real world."[10]

Cast

Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne and Wally Wolodarsky are set to play members of The French Dispatch staff,[7] while Mohamed Belhadjine will portray Mitch Mitch, a student revolutionary. Additionally, Denis Ménochet, Benjamin Lavernhe, Vincent Macaigne, Félix Moati and Anjelica Bette Fellini have been cast in undisclosed roles.[11]

Production

Development

In August 2018, it was reported Wes Anderson would write and direct an untitled musical film set in France, post World War II.[12] In November 2018, it was announced Jeremy Dawson would produce the film, with Tilda Swinton and Mathieu Amalric starring in the film. Dawson also confirmed the film is not a musical.[13] Additionally, Natalie Portman, Brad Pitt, and Léa Seydoux were rumored for roles in the film.[14] In December 2018, it was announced Anderson would write and direct the film, with Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro, and Jeffrey Wright; Seydoux was confirmed to star in the film alongside Swinton and Amalric, with Steven Rales producing under his Indian Paintbrush banner and Fox Searchlight Pictures distributing.[5][15][16][17][18][19][20]

Later that month, Lois Smith and Saoirse Ronan joined the cast.[21][22][23] In January 2019, Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, Henry Winkler, Willem Dafoe, Bob Balaban, Steve Park, Denis Ménochet, Lyna Khoudri, Alex Lawther, Vincent Macaigne, Vincent Lacoste, Félix Moati, Benjamin Lavernhe, Guillaume Gallienne, and Cécile de France joined the cast of the film.[24][25][26][27][28] Robert Yeoman will serve as the film's cinematographer.[29] In February 2019, it was announced Wally Wolodarsky, Fisher Stevens, Griffin Dunne, and Jason Schwartzman had joined the cast of the film.[30] In April 2019, Christoph Waltz, Rupert Friend, and Elisabeth Moss joined the cast of the film.[31][32]

Kate Winslet was initially cast but exited the project in order to have more prep time for her next role in Ammonite.[33][34]

Filming

Principal photography began in November 2018, in the city of Angoulême (South-West France) and wrapped in March 2019.[35] Murray and Ronan, who have small roles in the film, recorded their scenes over the course of two days.[36][37]

Release

In September 2019, Searchlight Pictures acquired distribution rights to the film.[38] It was set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 12, 2020, and get a wide release on July 24, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival was cancelled and the film was pulled from the schedule on April 3, 2020.[39][40] The film was rescheduled for release on October 16, 2020, before being pulled from the schedule again on July 23, 2020.[41][42] It is currently planned for a July 2021 release, with reports that it could debut at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.[43][1]

References
  1. "Presse release - Festival de Cannes". festival-cannes.com. January 27, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  2. Wiseman, Andreas (June 3, 2020). "Cannes Film Festival Reveals 2020 Lineup: Wes Anderson, Steve McQueen, Kate Winslet & Pixar". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. Croll, Ben (January 15, 2020). "Angouleme Delivers for Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Shoot". Variety. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  4. Murray, Iana. "'The French Dispatch' Looks Like Wes Anderson's Most Wes Anderson-y Film Yet". GQ. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  5. Thompson, Anne (December 2, 2018). "Wes Anderson Is Shooting 'The French Dispatch' in France — Exclusive". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  6. "Wes Anderson reveals cast of new movie 'The French Dispatch'". NME. September 20, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
  7. "A Look at Wes Anderson's New, New Yorker-inspired Film". The New Yorker. February 11, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  8. Martoccio, Angie (February 12, 2020). "Bill Murray, Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan and More Star in Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  9. Behrman, S.N. (September 21, 1951). "The Days of Duveen". The New Yorker. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  10. Sharf, Zack (August 23, 2019). "'The French Dispatch': Everything You Need to Know About Wes Anderson's New Movie". IndieWire. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  11. "The French Dispatch Cast". letterboxd.com. September 19, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  12. Trumbore, Dave (August 15, 2018). "Wes Anderson's Next Film Could Be a Post-World War II Musical Set in France, Obviously". Collider. Archived from the original on August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  13. Barfield, Charles (November 21, 2018). "Producer Gives Plot Details About Wes Anderson's Upcoming Film & Says It's Not A Musical". ThePlaylist. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  14. "Tilda Swinton Joins Wes Anderson's French Musical; Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman Rumored". November 16, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  15. Raup, Jordan (December 2, 2018). "Timothée Chalamet, Benicio del Toro & More Join Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch'". The Film Stage. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  16. Ivre, Devon (December 2, 2018). "Wes Anderson's Next Film, The French Dispatch, Is a 'Love Letter to Journalists'". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  17. "Jeffrey Wright talks upcoming Wes Anderson film role". YouTube. November 7, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  18. Barfield, Charles (December 5, 2018). "Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch': Brad Pitt Is Out But Léa Seydoux Will Star In The Upcoming Film". The Playlist. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
  19. Kroll, Justin (December 6, 2018). "Timothee Chalamet Joins Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray in Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 6, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  20. Lang, Brent (September 19, 2019). "Fox Searchlight Buys Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch'". Variety. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
  21. Lang, Brent (December 10, 2018). "Wes Anderson's 'French Dispatch' Adds Lois Smith". Variety. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2018.
  22. "Mary Queen of Scots': Saorise Ronan and Josie Rourke on the 'cost of power'". YouTube.com. December 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  23. "Saoirse Ronan Joins 'The French Dispatch,' Reuniting With Wes Anderson and Timothée Chalamet". December 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 25, 2018. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  24. "ADRIEN BRODY, BENICIO DEL TORO, OWEN WILSON, WILLEM DAFOE: PLUIE DE STARS SUR LA VILLE!". Charente Libre. January 8, 2019. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  25. "Henry Winkler Joins Wes Anderson Movie 'French Dispatch' (Exclusive)". Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  26. Grater, Tom (January 31, 2019). "'The End Of The F***ing World' star Alex Lawther joins Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' (exclusive)". Screen International. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  27. Sarreau, Lea Andre (January 31, 2019). "A luxury French casting for Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch"". Les Inrockuptibles. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  29. Tyler, Jacob (January 10, 2019). "WES ANDERSON'S 'THE FRENCH DISPATCH' CASTS HENRY WINKLER AND HIRES STUNT COORDINATOR DOMINIQUE FOUASSIER". thegww.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
  30. Dunne, Griffin (February 15, 2019). "Boxes in the wardrobe department for Wes Anderson's "The French Dispatch" where the brilliant costumer Milena Canonero keeps the belongings of the characters. The only time I'll get top billing over Bill Murray so I'd better get a pic of it". Instagram.com. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  31. Barfield, Charles (April 15, 2019). "Wes Anderson Says Christoph Waltz Has Small Role In 'The French Dispatch' & Reveals More Details Including Possible Late-2019 Release". The Playlist. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  32. "Elisabeth Moss on 'Her Smell' and a Feminist Take on 'The Invisible Man'". Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
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  34. Oh F***, I've Forgotten How to Act": Kate Winslet, Back in the Awards Race With Same-Sex Romance 'Ammonite,' on Getting Back to Work
  35. "Untitled Wes Anderson Project". Backstage. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  36. Barfield, Charles (April 15, 2019). "Wes Anderson Says Christoph Waltz Has Small Role In 'The French Dispatch' & Reveals More Details Including Possible Late-2019 Release". The Playlist. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  37. Saoirse Ronan on Taking Control of ‘Ammonite’ and Wes Anderson’s ‘The French Dispatch’
  38. Wiseman, Andreas (September 19, 2019). "Fox Searchlight Acquires World Rights To Wes Anderson's Upcoming Movie 'The French Dispatch'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  39. Roxborough, Scott (June 3, 2020). "Cannes 2020 Lineup Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  40. Welk, Brian (January 29, 2020). "Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Gets July 2020 Release". The Wrap. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  41. Welk, Brian (April 3, 2020). "'Black Widow' Moves to November as Other MCU Films Shift Back to 2021, 2022". The Wrap. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  42. D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 23, 2020). "'Mulan' Off The Calendar; Disney Also Delays 'Avatar' & 'Star Wars' Movies By One Year As Studio Adjusts To Pandemic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  43. Wes Anderson’s ‘The French Dispatch’ Leaves Oscar Race, Eyes Cannes 2021 Release Instead
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