Sony recently dated Kogonada’s “A Big Bold Beautiful Journey,” starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, for May 9, 2025 release. I’ve so far heard none too pleasant things about this film, which is about to test screen for, at least, the third time this week.
It was already a red flag that the May 9 release date would make the film ineligible for next year’s Cannes Film Festival, which is only set to begin on May 13. If you remember, Kogonada’s last film, “After Yang,” premiered at Cannes 2021 in the Un Certain Regard section.
Plot details have been kept under wraps for ‘Big Bold Beautiful Journey,’ which wrapped production in June, but I was told it tackled two strangers who meet at a wedding and embark on a GPS-driven adventure together. The film is said to incorporate time travel and romance.
Here’s what I had previously written about the film and Kogonada:
‘Big Bold Journey’ is being described as “an imaginative tale of two strangers and the unbelievable journey that connects them.” Imperative Entertainment is producing the film. As mentioned, Kogonada will direct, from an original script by Seth Reiss (“The Menu”).
Elusive video-essayist-turned-filmmaker Kogonada blew me away with his 2017 debut “Columbus.” He followed that one up with the acclaimed 2021 film “After Yang,” starring Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and “Columbus” beauty Haley Lu Richardson.
I was less than enamored by “After Yang,” a meditative sci-fi movie that just had too many ideas, and a failed execution. I understand I’m in the minority on this one. Still, Kogonada is definitely a filmmaker that’s worth following. It looks like he’s coming up with something unique for this next one.
The ‘Smile’ franchise has a new director. David Bruckner, who made “The Night House” and the 2022 “Hellraiser” reboot, has been hired to direct “Smile 3” for Paramount.