Even though we were a little bummed by the word that Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s “Birdman” won’t be premiering at Cannes, another piece of news has buoyed our spirits. You may have forgotten, but way back in 2011, Iñárritu was attached to direct “The Revenant” with Leonardo DiCaprio slated to star (Sean Penn was also linked). Not much else was heard after that, but the project is now fully back on.
Anonymous Content will produce the RatPac– and Worldview Entertainment-financed project, set to be distributed by 20th Century Fox, that will see DiCaprio playing Hugh Glass, a 19th century fur trapper who is mauled by a grizzly bear, left for dead and then robbed. When he survives against all odds, he sets out on a treacherous journey to exact revenge on his betrayers. Damn. So “Gravity” meets “The Grey“? Either way, if you really want to know what happens, you can always read the book by Michael Punke on which the movie will be based.
The project is moving fast, with production to begin in September for a fall 2015 release date. Will this finally get Leo his Oscar? We’d wager he’ll at least be in contention if this all comes out right.