Guillermo del Toro is really running against the clock here. On the eve of his 57th birthday (!!!) he tweeted that he “still hasn’t finished “Nightmare Alley.” It still hasn’t been put in the can.
Back in late August, we had learned that del Toro was rushing a final print for possible inclusion at the Venice Film Festival, but the movie just wasn’t completed on time. Now, here we are, two full months later and the 139 minute film is still awaiting final cut. Albeit, its December release date does still give del Toro some time, but if the plan is to premiere the film at the Academy Museum in a few weeks then he’s really playing with fire.
Maybe this has to do with Friday’s announcement that Alexander Desplat was exiting as composer of the film? Desplat was quickly replaced by “Knives Out” composer Nathan Johnson.
All we want is a great movie, Guillermo. You can skip the Academy screening for all I care.
I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of looking forward to the “Michael” sequel. Whether Vantoine directs it or John Logan, it doesn’t matter—it’s an inevitable sh*tshow that will result from its making and release.