It's been 15 years since three-time Academy Award winner James L. Brooks directed a feature film, and now for the first time since 2010's How Do You Know, there's a new movie from the director of Terms of Endearment on the way.
The first trailer for Ella McCay, starring Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Woody Harrelson, dropped in August, giving us our first look at the upcoming dramedy.
And a second trailer, released on Oct. 21, sheds some more light on the plot and offers more of the signature Brooks wit.
What's it about?
The film is centered around Ella (Mackey), who has just been elected governor but who is also still dealing with the family drama. In particular, there's her father (Harrelson), who has reentered her life with word of a new love in his life.
Who else is in it?
Backing Ella up is her aunt, played by Curtis. Also in the cast are Ayo Edebiri, Jack Lowden, Kumail Nanjiani, Rebecca Hall (in what appears to be a relatively small role) and Broadcast News alum Albert Brooks.
When does it come out?
Ella McCay is set to open in theaters on Dec. 12.
What are its awards odds?
At this point — months ahead of its release and before anyone has actually seen it — not great. In Best Picture, Ella McCay sits at a distant 47th. That could change slightly now that the second trailer is out there, but there probably won't be any significant changes until early word starts to emerge.
The film is not currently set for any festival screenings, and until a critical consensus begins to build around it, predictors are likely to turn to Brooks' most recent output as an indicator. And since they'd be looking at How Do You Know, Ella McCay's prospects for the moment don't appear strong.
This story was originally published on Aug. 4 and updated on Oct. 21 with the second trailer.
