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The Fabelmans

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The Fabelmans
File:FabelmansSpielberglogo.jpg
Official logo
Directed bySteven Spielberg
Written by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJanusz Kamiński[1]
Edited by
Music byJohn Williams
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release dates
  • September 10, 2022 (2022-09-10) (TIFF)
  • November 11, 2022 (2022-11-11) (United States)
Running time
151 minutes[2]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

The Fabelmans is an upcoming American coming-of-age drama film directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg from a screenplay he co-wrote with Tony Kushner. A semi-autobiography, it stars Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy Fabelman, a young aspiring filmmaker based on Spielberg himself. Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Seth Rogen also appear in supporting roles.

The Fabelmans will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022. It is scheduled for a limited theatrical release by Universal Pictures in the United States on November 11, 2022 before expanding wide on November 23.

Premise

Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, from age seven to eighteen, a young man named Sammy Fabelman discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.

Cast

The film's cast includes Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen as fictional versions of Spielberg's mother, father and uncle respectively.

Production

Development

Steven Spielberg (on the left) directed and co-produced the film, and co-wrote the screenplay with Tony Kushner (on the right).

In 1999, Steven Spielberg said he had been thinking of directing a film about his childhood for some time. Titled I'll Be Home, the project was originally written by his sister Anne Spielberg. He explained, "My big fear is that my mom and dad won't like it and will think it's an insult and won't share my loving yet critical point of view about what it was like to grow up with them."[3] In 2002, Spielberg said he was nervous about making I'll Be Home: "It's so close to my life and so close to my family – I prefer to make films that are more analogous. But a literal story about my family will take a lot of courage. I still think I make personal movies even if they do look like big commercial popcorn films."[4]

Pre-production

In March 2021, Spielberg was announced to direct a coming-of-age film loosely based on his childhood growing up in Arizona. Michelle Williams was in negotiations to star as Leah Fabelman, the role inspired by Spielberg's mother Leah Adler, but with "an original voice."[5][6] Spielberg also co-wrote the script alongside recurring collaborator Tony Kushner; it will mark Spielberg's first writing venture on film since A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001).[5] On March 22, 2021, it was reported that Seth Rogen joined the cast to play Bennie, the role inspired by "the favorite uncle of young Spielberg", while Williams was confirmed to have been cast.[7] It was also reported that Kristie Macosko Krieger would produce the film with Kushner and Spielberg.[7] On April 8, 2021, Paul Dano joined the cast as Burt Fabelman, the role inspired by Spielberg's father Arnold.[8] Dano admitted that he felt intimidated by playing the role because "the stakes felt really high ... You're embodying one of the most important, influential, complicated figures in [Spielberg's] life. It was incredible to see how much of this was in his work the whole time. He's sharing a piece of himself that I find very moving. There's a real gift in it, when somebody of that stature and at that level of artistry is willing to do that."[9] In May, Gabriel LaBelle entered final negotiations to portray the lead role, Sammy Fabelman, a young, aspiring filmmaker based on Spielberg himself.[10] He would be confirmed the next month in addition to the casting of Julia Butters as Anne Fabelman, the role inspired by Spielberg's sister.[11] Later that June, Sam Rechner was cast as well.[12] In July, Chloe East, Oakes Fegley, Isabelle Kusman, Jeannie Berlin, Judd Hirsch, Robin Bartlett and Jonathan Hadary were added to the cast.[13][14] In August, Gabriel Bateman, Gustavo Escobar, Nicolas Cantu, Lane Factor, Cooper Dodson and Stephen Matthew Smith were cast.[15] They were later followed by newcomers Keeley Karsten, Birdie Borria, Alina Brace, Sophia Kopera, and Mateo Zoryna Francis-Deford.[16] In February 2022, it was announced David Lynch would also star in an undisclosed role.[17]

In March 2022, cinematographer Janusz Kamiński said the film would chronicle Spielberg's life from age seven to eighteen and deal with "his family, with his parents, conundrums with his sisters, but primarily deals with his passion for movie-making," while adding that it will touch on the themes of "young love, parental divorce, and early formative relationships ... It's a very beautiful, beautiful personal movie. It's very revealing about Steven's life and who he is as a filmmaker."[18]

Filming

Principal photography began in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in Los Angeles in July 2021.[19][20][21]

Music

The musical score was composed by John Williams, marking his 29th film collaboration with Spielberg.[22] On June 23, 2022, Williams revealed that this and the fifth Indiana Jones film may be the last two films he will score before retirement.[23][24]

Release

The Fabelmans will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2022.[2][25] On the announcement of the premiere, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey remarked: "It’s different from a typical Spielberg blockbuster, but it is just as easily impactful in terms of the emotional effect it’s going to have on people. If you love movies, this is going to be a very powerful film for you to watch. I’m excited that it’s launching in an environment that celebrates cinema."[26] The film was also sneak previewed on July 26, 2022, in Nanuet, New York.[27]

It is scheduled to be released by Universal Pictures in select theaters in Los Angeles and New York City on November 11, 2022, with a nationwide release on November 23 in the United States.[28] It is Spielberg's first film distributed by Universal since Munich (2005).[5][20] Entertainment One will handle distribution in the United Kingdom, while Nordisk Film will release the film in select international territories.[29]

References

  1. ^ Rosen, Christopher (January 12, 2022). "West Side Story cinematographer Janusz Kaminski on his legendary collaboration with Steven Spielberg". Gold Derby. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  2. ^ a b "The Fabelmans". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  3. ^ Stephen J., Dubner (February 14, 1999). "Steven the Good". The New York Times Magazine. Archived from the original on February 14, 1999. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  4. ^ "Spielberg's future imperfect". The New Zealand Herald. June 21, 2002. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (March 9, 2021). "Steven Spielberg To Direct Untitled Project Loosely Based On His Childhood; Michelle Williams In Talks For Role Inspired By His Mom". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  6. ^ Kit, Borys (March 9, 2021). "Steven Spielberg, Michelle Williams Teaming for Coming-of-Age Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  7. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (March 22, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Taps Seth Rogen For Major Role In Next Film Loosely Based On Director's Childhood; Rogen Would Play Favorite Uncle Of Young Spielberg". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin; D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 8, 2021). "Steven Spielberg To Direct Untitled Project Loosely Based On His Childhood; Michelle Williams In Talks For Role Inspired By His Mom". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  9. ^ Keegan, Rebecca (March 2, 2022). "Paul Dano on His Terrifying Batman Villain and Why He's No Longer Scared of Going Hollywood". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
  10. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 26, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Taps Newcomer Gabriel LaBelle To Star In Untitled Film Based On Director's Childhood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  11. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 15, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Taps Julia Butters For Role Inspired By His Sister In Untitled Amblin Film Loosely Based on His Childhood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  12. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 18, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Amblin Pic Based On His Childhood Adds Australian Actor Sam Rechner". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 18, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 14, 2021). "Chloe East, Oakes Fegley And Isabelle Kusman Round Cast Of Steven Spielberg's Next Film Loosely Based on His Childhood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  14. ^ Vary, Adam B. (July 27, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Casts Judd Hirsch, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Bartlett and Jonathan Hadary in Film Based on His Childhood (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  15. ^ Vary, Adam B. (August 12, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Adds Six Child Actors to Semi-Autobiographical Film The Fabelmans (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  16. ^ Kroll, Justin (August 23, 2021). "Amblin Adds Six To Cast Of Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans, Loosely Based On His Childhood". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  17. ^ Murphy, J. Kim (February 4, 2022). "David Lynch Joins Cast of Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2022.
  18. ^ St. Lawrence, Chris (March 20, 2022). "Framing the Magic of West Side Story with Cinematographer Janusz Kamiński – Exclusive Interview". DiscussingFilm. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  19. ^ "The Fabelmans". Variety Insight. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Couch, Aaron (March 22, 2021). "Steven Spielberg Enlists Seth Rogen to Play Filmmaker's Uncle in Coming-of-Age Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  21. ^ Sakoui, Anousha (August 5, 2021). "Hollywood booms despite Delta variant as production surges". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  22. ^ Burlingame, Jon (February 7, 2022). "As John Williams Turns 90, No Signs of Slowing Down, With Fabelmans, Indiana Jones and Birthday Gala in the Offing". Variety. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  23. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (June 23, 2022). "Legendary Film Composer John Williams Eyes Retirement After Scoring 'Indiana Jones 5'". Variety. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  24. ^ Coyle, Jake (June 23, 2022). "John Williams, 90, steps away from film, but not music". Associated Press. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  25. ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 22, 2022). "Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans To World Premiere At Toronto Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "Toronto Film Festival CEO Cameron Bailey on Landing Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans' and Returning to Splashy Premieres". July 28, 2022.
  27. ^ Ruimy, Jordan (July 27, 2022). "Steven Spielberg's 'The Fabelmans' Screens to Positive Reactions [Updated]". World of Reel. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  28. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 22, 2022). "Universal Sets L.A. & NY Runs For Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  29. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (March 3, 2022). "Amblin Partners & Nordisk Film Renew Distribution Partnership". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
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