The Coen Brothers’ Burn After Reading Gets A Release Date

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 3, 2008

The folks at Focus Features and Working Title sent over word today that they have set a release date for the Coen Brothers’ next film Burn After Reading. The film will release nationwide on September 12, 2008.

Burn After Reading will star John Malkovich as an ousted CIA official whose memoir accidentally falls into the hands of two unwise D.C. gym employees intent on exploiting their find. Tilda Swinton, fresh off her Best Supporting Actress Oscar win for Michael Clayton, will star as Malkovich’s wife. Rounding out an exceptional cast reminiscent of the one the Coens put together for No Country for Old Men is Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Richard Jenkins and Coen favorite Frances McDormand.

You may also recall the fact that I Burn After Reading was one of the films included as one of my Top Ten Oscar Contenders for 2008 — finishing at #2 right behind David Fincher’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. For fans of the Coen brothers, a group that has been steadily growing since the release of Raising Arizona in 1987, this news should at least be exciting. Coming off of their Best Director and Best Picture wins for No Country, they seem to be moving at an unstoppable pace. Also notable is the fact that the Coens are teaming up with Children of Men cinematographer Emanuel Lubezki, whose work is phenomenal. Now not only will we get a very cerebral and intriguing film, we will get a beautifully shot one to boot.

We will certainly keep you posted as more details, trailers and photos from the project emerge.

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