Jeff Nichols’ ‘The Bikeriders’ Sets December 1st Release Date

As it stands, the December movie calendar is going to be packed with Oscar contenders. So far, we have “Poor Things,” “The Color Purple,” “Ferrari,” “The Iron Claw,” “Leave the World Behind” and “Saltburn” going wide.

20th Century Studios has dated Jeff Nichols’ “The Bikeriders” for a December 1st release. As it stands, the film hasn’t shown up at either the TIFF or Venice. Maybe Telluride? I have my doubts.

The film stars Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook and Norman Reedus. So, obviously, the promotion will revolve around those big names, which cannot currently be done due to the SAG strike.

“The Bikeriders” was supposed to be in the can right before this past May’s Cannes Film Festival. Then we had a few test screenings in the months that followed. The word was semi-positive, but nothing to write home about.

Hopefully this shows up somewhere, otherwise it’ll look like 20th Century is dumping it with no awards prospects.

It is odd that “The Bikeriders” didn’t appear at Cannes, the reasoning was that “the film was not ready” on time. However, the original production sheet, which I saw firsthand, had a post-production process officially ending on May 15th, a day before Cannes began. Maybe Nichols went back to the editing room, not satisfied with the cut that he had.

“The Bikeriders” is set in the 1960s following the rise of a fictional, midwestern motorcycle club. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a full-out gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.

It’s been 5 years since “Loving.” Nichols is coming off the longest break of his career. His filmography includes “Take Shelter,” “Mud,” and “Midnight Special.”