The Revenant (2015 film)

The Revenant is an upcoming western thriller film produced and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu. The screenplay, adapted from Michael Punke's 2003 novel of the same name, was written by González Iñárritu and Mark L. Smith and is partially based in the life of frontiersman Hugh Glass. The film is set to star Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, and Domhnall Gleeson.

Development of the film began in August 2001 when Akiva Goldsman purchased Punke's manuscript with the intent of producing the film. The film was originally set to be directed by Park Chan-wook with Samuel L. Jackson in mind to star, and later by John Hillcoat with Christian Bale in negotiations to star. Both directors left the project, and González Iñárritu signed on to direct in August 2011. In April 2014, after several delays in production due to other projects, González Iñárritu confirmed that he was beginning work on The Revenant and that DiCaprio would play the lead role. Principal photography began in October 2014.

Premise

In the 19th century, Hugh Glass (DiCaprio), a fur trapper, is mauled by a bear while hunting. His companions (Hardy, Poulter, and Gleeson)^[3] rob him and leave him to die, but he survives and sets out to get revenge on the men who betrayed him.^[4]

Cast

• Leonardo DiCaprio as Hugh Glass^[1][4]
• Tom Hardy^[5]
• Will Poulter^[6][7]
• Domhnall Gleeson^[8]
• Kristoffer Joner^[9]
• Brad Carter^[10]
• Dave Burchill^[11]
• Vincent Leclerc^[12]
• Stefan Rasporich^[13]

Production

Development and financing

Development of The Revenant began in August 2001, with producer Akiva Goldsman acquiring the rights to Michael Punke's unpublished manuscript for The Revenant.^[14] Dave Rabe had written the film's script.^[4] The production was picked up by Park Chan-wook, with Samuel L. Jackson in mind to star. Park later left the project.^[15] The development stalled until 2010, when Mark L. Smith wrote a new adaptation of the novel for Steve Golin's Anonymous Content. In May 2010, Smith revealed that John Hillcoat was attached to direct the film and that Christian Bale was in negotiations to star.^[16] Hillcoat left the project in October 2010.^[17] Jean-François Richet was considered to replace him^[17] but Alejandro González Iñárritu signed on to direct in August 2011.^[18] Goldsman was also confirmed to be producing with Weed Road Pictures.^[18] In November, New Regency Productions joined to produce with Anonymous Content, and 20th Century Fox was confirmed to be distributing the film.^[2][19] Days later, González Iñárritu stated that he was seeking Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn for the two lead roles.^[20]

The film was put on hold in March 2012, as New Regency hired González Iñárritu to direct an adaptation of Jennifer Vogel's tome Flim-Flam Man, a non-fiction book about her criminal father.^[21] Penn was also under consideration for the lead role in that film.^[22] In December, González Iñárritu announced that his next film would be Birdman, a comedy about an actor who once played a famous superhero. Iñarritu won the Oscar for Best Director and the film won best picture. Filming took place in March 2013.^[23] González Iñárritu was scheduled to begin production on The Revenant after Birdman wrapped.^[24]

The film was granted a production budget of $60 million, with $30 million funded by New Regency. Brett Ratner's RatPac Entertainment also funded the film.^[2] Worldview Entertainment was originally set to fund the film^[24] but backed out in July 2014 due to the departure of CEO, Christopher Woodrow.^[2][25] New Regency approached 20th Century Fox for additional funding, but the company declined, citing the pay-or-play contracts made for both DiCaprio and Tom Hardy, which would require that the actors be paid regardless of whether the film is made.^[25] Annapurna Pictures' Megan Ellison entered negotiations to finance the film shortly after.^[2][25]

Casting

In April 2014, The Hollywood Reporter announced that DiCaprio signed on for the lead role, and that filming was planned to begin that September.^[4] Tom Hardy entered negotiations to star in early June 2014,^[26] and officially joined the cast on June 30.^[5] Will Poulter entered negotiations in late June,^[6] and was confirmed to be starring in July.^[7] Domhnall Gleeson was added to the cast on July 30.^[8] Kristoffer Joner turned down the lead role in the film adaptation of Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder to appear in this film.^[9] On October 24, Brad Carter joined the cast.^[10]

Filming

Principal photography began in October 2014 and was originally scheduled to end in March 2015,^[27][28] though González Iñarritu stated that production would last "until the end of April or May", as the crew is "shooting in such remote far-away locations that, by the time we arrive and have to return, we have already spent 40% of the day". He also said that the film was being shot using natural lighting.^[29] Filming took place in British Columbia including Victoria, Calgary, and at Mammoth Studios in Burnaby, British Columbia.^[3] González Iñárritu has stated that he wanted to shoot the film chronologically, a process that would add $7 million to the film's production budget.^[7]

Release

The film is scheduled to have a limited release in the United States on December 25, 2015, followed by a wide release on January 8, 2016.^[2]

See also

• Man in the Wilderness, a 1971 historical movie starring Richard Harris also based on the Hugh Glass story.

References

External links

• Official website
• The Revenant at the Internet Movie Database