Universal Pictures an extended look of Paul Greengrass’s ‘News of the World.’ The film stars Tom Hanks as Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a veteran of three wars, who now travels across the United States sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe.
But when he comes across an orphan child named Johanna (Helena Zengel), he takes it upon himself to return the child to her home. Together, they experience hostility from both humans and nature, all the while learning about each other and the true meaning of home.
With the way things are going now, it would be nice to see a uplifting studio film like ‘News of the World’ that gives us hope. And ‘News of the World’ could be just that kind of film. Especially one that is centered where someone is spreading global news across a bitterly divided America. It mirrors the times that we are living in now, where demagogues created that divisiveness all the while throwing around a fake news rhetoric.
‘News of the World’ reunited Greengrass with Hanks for the first time since ‘Captain Phillips.’
Here’s the official plot synopsis for ‘News of the World:’
“This Christmas, Universal Pictures is proud to present Tom Hanks starring in News of the World, a moving story written and directed by Paul Greengrass, reuniting for the first time with his star from their 2013 Best Picture nominee Captain Phillips.
Five years after the end of the Civil War, Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Hanks), a veteran of three wars, now moves from town to town as a non-fiction storyteller, sharing the news of presidents and queens, glorious feuds, devastating catastrophes, and gripping adventures from the far reaches of the globe.
In the plains of Texas, he crosses paths with Johanna (Helena Zengel, System Crasher), a 10-year-old taken in by the Kiowa people six years earlier and raised as one of their own. Johanna, hostile to a world she’s never experienced, is being returned to her biological aunt and uncle against her will.
Kidd agrees to deliver the child where the law says she belongs. As they travel hundreds of miles into the unforgiving wilderness, the two will face tremendous challenges of both human and natural forces as they search for a place that either can call home.
News of the World is directed by Greengrass (the Bourne films, United 93) from his screenplay with Luke Davies (Lion), based on the National Book Award finalist and best-selling novel by Paulette Jiles. The film is produced by Gary Goetzman (Mamma Mia! franchise, Greyhound), Gail Mutrux (The Danish Girl, Donnie Brasco) and Gregory Goodman (22 July, 8 Mile). The executive producers are Steven Shareshian and Tore Schmidt. The film’s music is by eight-time Academy Award® nominee James Newton Howard.”
Universal has scheduled ‘News of the World’ for a December 25 release date in theaters. So it will be interesting to see if that holds.
Photo by Bruce Talamon – © 2020 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
