Last fall, Searchlight pulled “Magazine Dreams” from its December 8 release date, as the film’s star, Jonathan Majors, was embroiled in a domestic violence scandal. Majors’ trial lasted a few weeks — he was found guilty of assault and harassment.
Searchlight hasn’t given us a new date for “Magazine Dreams.” I wouldn’t be surprised if it doesn’t even get released by them. Would they even dare dump it on HULU? I’ve have my doubt about that.
THR is now reporting, via their sources, that the chances of seeing “Magazine Dreams” on the big screen are “highly unlikely”. Even a dump on Hulu is not happening as the film would likely be too problematic, because of its depiction of violence.
“Magazine Dreams” is a grim character study about an amateur bodybuilder (Majors) struggling to find human connection as his relentless drive to be recognized pushes him to test his sanity. It’s a film that takes inspiration in Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle — an oddball loner starving to get recognized and slowly losing his mind.
However, a possible scenario being discussed is Searchlight returning “Magazine Dreams” to the filmmakers, who could shop the film around to other buyers.
It’s a real shame that ‘Dreams’ director Elijah Bynum has to go through this ordeal. He was the toast of sundance last January and now his film is in a state of limbo. Majors’ work in the film was also revelatory. Here’s what I wrote about the “Magazine Dreams”, and the performance, at this last January’s Sundance Film Festival:
It doesn’t have a shot at Best Picture, but Majors’ sure as hell has a chance at getting nominated for Best Actor. Ultimately, this is and should be seen as the Jonathan Majors show — the commitment he brings to his role as a sociopathic bodybuilder is damn-near terrifying to behold. There’s a kind of softened terror in the way Majors makes his Killian unravel before our very eyes. You’ll be hearing a lot about this performance in the months to come.
A THR source adds that “Magazine Dreams” would have “100 percent been in the awards conversation” had it not been for Majors’ legal troubles. They’re not wrong. Searchlight was prepping have massive campaign for Majors.
Searchlight/Disney has a brand image to protect, I get it, but there is most definitely an audience out there for “Magazine Dreams.” I’d got as far as to say that interest in the film has only grown because of the Majors controversy. I’d be shocked if another distributor doesn’t jump at the chance of acquiring it.