If you were looking for a sequel to “Jackie,” this is probably as close you’re going to get. Last year, Rob Reiner‘s “LBJ” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and it’s taken a little while to resurface. However, perhaps in an awards season bid, the film is now coming to cinemas this fall, with Woody Harrelson under heavy makeup in the title role.
Co-starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Rich Sommer, Bill Pullman, C. Thomas Howell, Jeffrey Donovan and Richard Jenkins, the film will tell the story of Lyndon Johnson, his political ambitions, and how his life is changed when he is rushed into the presidency following the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Here’s the official synopsis:
After powerful Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson (Woody Harrelson) loses the 1960 Democratic presidential nomination to Senator John F. Kennedy (Jeffrey Donovan), he agrees to be his young rival’s running mate. But once they win the election, despite his extensive legislative experience and shrewd political instincts, Johnson finds himself sidelined in the role of vice president. That all changes on Nov. 22, 1963, when Kennedy is assassinated and Johnson, with his devoted wife Lady Bird (Jennifer Jason Leigh) by his side, is suddenly thrust into the presidency. As the nation mourns, Johnson must contend with longtime adversary Attorney General Bobby Kennedy (Michael Stahl-David) and one-time mentor Georgia Senator Richard Russell (Richard Jenkins) as he seeks to honor JFK’s legacy by championing the historic Civil RightsAct of 1964.
“LBJ” opens on November 3rd.
