This fall, George Clooney will topline two features looking for awards consideration – Alexander Payne’s The Descendants and The Ides of March. The latter feature is his third time behind a camera, after Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Good Night, and Good Luck.
Based on the 2008 play Farragut North, which is loosely based on the 2004 Democratic primary campaign of Howard Dean, the film will depict the interworkings of a political campaign. Clooney plays presidential candidate Gov. Mike Norris (D), while Ryan Gosling (who is likely to get some much-needed star attention with Crazy, Stupid Love and Drive this year) plays Stephen Meyers, an idealistic staffer and manager of Morris’ campaign.
The drama is a ensemble piece with quite a few luminaries filling out the supporting cast. This includes Paul Giamatti, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Max Minghella, Jeffrey Wright and Jennifer Ehle.
The first poster has been revealed. Simple and elegant, the picture makes you focus your attention to the center and wonder about its implications – a man holding an issue of Time Magazine with Clooney on the cover that asks “Is This Man Our Next President?” And the film’s title (much better than using Farragut North) should also clue you in to the political ramifications. Though you have wonder if a soothsayer will be involved.
