Manuel here to help you sort out your actressexual film calendar with some key release dates. The following list is prompted by the news that Sandra Bullock’s political drama, Our Brand is Crisis is set for an October release date. Based on the 2005 documentary of the same name, the film was written by Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and was directed by David Gordon Green and features TFE favorite Ann Dowd in the all star ensemble.
With that, our growing list of “Fall films featuring a recent Best Actress Oscar winner that might find their way into awards season” ballooned to an even twelve and well, it's time to share. Yes, some of these will be longshots (word is not good on Dark Places, though hopefully some critics and voters remember Charlize's work in Mad Max Fury Road) but it’s exhilarating to see so many juicy and high profile actress-centered projects coming our way!
In chronological order after the jump...
AUGUST
Meryl Streep
Ricki and the Flash (YNMS Trailer, Song), August 7, 2015
Charlize Theron
Dark Places, August 7, 2015
Not 'recent Best Actress winners' but The Diary of a Teenage Girl (also August 7th with breakout Bel Powley) and Grandma (August 21st starring Lily Tomlin) are also all about their leading ladies
SEPTEMBER
Natalie Portman
Jane Got a Gun (First Look), September 4, 2015
OCTOBER
Marion Cotillard
MacBeth (YNMS Trailer), October 2, 2015 (UK)
Julianne Moore
Freeheld (YNMS Trailer), October 2, 2015
Kate Winslet
The Dressmaker (YNMS Trailer), October 22, 2015
* This release date is only confirmed for Australia thus far. We're hoping more news is forthcoming on US distribution plans.
Julia Roberts & Nicole Kidman
The Secret in their Eyes (YNMS Trailer), October 23, 2015
Sandra Bullock
Our Brand is Crisis, October 30, 2015
Not a 'recent best actress winner' but Crimson Peak (Oct 16th) is actress-heavy with Mia Wasikowska leading and Jessica Chastain in shifty support. There's also Suffragette (Oct 23rd) starring Carey Mulligan so October is the most Best Actressy month this year.
NOVEMBER
Helen Mirren
Trumbo, November 6, 2015
*a supporting role but she fits into our list purposes
Not a recent Best Actress winner but Brooklyn (November 6th also) is headlined by Saoirse Ronan and is likely to figure into the Oscar conversation. Angelina Jolie also returns with the marital drama By The Sea (November 13th). Maggie Smith headlines The Lady in the Van (Nov 13th, UK but US release date shifting)
DECEMBER
Cate Blanchett
Carol (Cannes Review), 18 December 2015
Jennifer Lawrence
Joy (Teaser trailer), December 25, 2015
Do you think Halle, Reese and Hilary will feel left out since everyone else from 2000 to the present is accounted for? Will all these star-turns hog the conversation and make the 2015 Best Actress class a 2012 Best Supporting Actor-type situation?