With the Venice Film Festival announcing its full lineup and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) revealing most of its key world premieres, a number of films are notably absent from the fall festival circuit. These films have been completed and are ready for release, yet they have not made an appearance in any festival lineups.
Among the orphaned titles are Duke Johnson’s “The Actor,” Andrew Patterson’s “Rivals of Amziah King,” Gareth Evans’ “Havoc,” and Andrew Stanton’s “In the Blink of An Eye.” Each of these films has generated anticipation, yet they remain unseen in the festival landscape.
Duke Johnson, known for his work on “Anomalisa,” wrapped filming on “The Actor” back in April 2023. The film is being distributed by Neon, and there were hopes it would make a splash at the fall festivals last year, but it was absent then as well. This year, it seems to be following the same path, although there is speculation it may still appear at Telluride.
Gareth Evans’ “Havoc,” which stars Tom Hardy, has been a long time coming. Recently, Evans announced on Instagram that reshoots had been completed and that the film is expected to undergo 5-6 months of post-production work. The film is likely to be released in early 2025, which means it will miss the fall festival circuit entirely.
Andrew Stanton’s “In the Blink of An Eye” is another film that has raised eyebrows. Completed in April, the film is said to explore the entire history of the world through three intersecting storylines, tackling themes of life, love, hope, and connection. Despite its intriguing premise, it has not been included in any festival lineups, leading to questions about what Searchlight is waiting for. There is speculation that it may find a home at the AFI festival later this year.
Mimi Cave’s “Holland, Michigan,” featuring Nicole Kidman, has also received an R rating from the MPA, indicating it is ready for release. The film tells the story of a woman in a small Midwestern town who suspects her husband of living a double life. Despite its completion in the summer of 2023 and backing from Amazon/MGM, it has yet to make an appearance at any festivals.
Daniel Goldhaber’s “Faces of Death” is another title that remains without U.S. distribution. The film has been rated R for strong bloody violence, sexual content, and drug use, making it a challenging sell. However, Goldhaber’s previous film, “How to Blow Up A Pipeline,” received positive reviews, which may help in finding a distributor for this project.
Scott Derickson’s “The Gorge,” starring Miles Teller, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Sigourney Weaver, is also shrouded in uncertainty. There have been few updates regarding the film, and it seems Apple TV may be holding off on its release. If predictions hold true, it may not see the light of day until 2025.
David Michôd’s “Wizards!” has had a tumultuous journey. After being shot in 2022, the film reportedly tested poorly in 2023 and underwent reshoots. Michôd has been busy editing a new version, and while he is set to shoot another film in August, it remains unclear when “Wizards!” will be released.
Andrew Patterson’s “Rivals of Amziah King” wrapped production in August 2023 and stars Matthew McConaughey and Kurt Russell. Patterson’s previous film, “The Vast of Night,” received acclaim, but details surrounding this new project are scarce. There are rumors of potential reshoots, especially after McConaughey shared a viral image from the set.
As the fall festival season approaches, the absence of these films raises questions about their future. With many completed and ready for audiences, it remains to be seen when and where they will finally be showcased. The anticipation surrounding these titles continues to build, and film enthusiasts are left wondering what other films might be missing from the fall fests.
As we await further updates, the film community is left to speculate on the fate of these orphaned titles. Will they find a home at other festivals, or will they be relegated to a later release? Only time will tell, but for now, the absence of films like “The Actor” and “In the Blink of An Eye” leaves a noticeable gap in the fall festival lineup.
Source: Various sources
