Where's Steve McQueen's ‘Blitz'?

Earlier this morning, Apple TV unveiled their 2024 slate. A few readers have pointed out that Steve McQueen’s “Blitz” was missing. They are correct. No mention of it whatsoever.

“Blitz” has been one of our most anticipated films of 2024. On-paper, it sounds like the kind of ambitious and sweeping narrative that McQueen could bring all the way to Oscar glory. However, a few red flags are starting to emerge with this one.

Based on what is known, Apple is still looking for a studio to distribute “Blitz” theatrically, and that could be one of the reasons for its notable lack of promotion. Last year, McQueen stated that he hoped for the film to premiere at Cannes 2024. That clearly didn’t happen. It was also barely mentioned in recent Screen and Variety predictions for Venice. What is going on here?

It’s not like I haven’t tried to get intel on this one either. It’s the one film I’ve been emailing around the most these last few weeks. I reached out to a bunch of journalists, intel gatherers, a few producers and nobody really knows what’s going on with this one. It also definitely test-screened late last year.

There’s been no trailer, poster, release date or images released. The film is definitely ready. It even has an MPA rating — PG-13 for "thematic elements including some racism, violence, some strong language, brief sexuality and smoking." It should be noted that all of McQueen’s other films have had R ratings. This is his first PG-13 outing.

“Blitz,” which wrapped shooting in April 2023, takes place during the German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom in 1940, with the events “seen through the eyes of the Londoners on the home front.” It starts Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, Stephen Graham, Erin Kellyman, and Hayley Squires.

McQueen’s past directorial efforts include the likes of “Hunger,” “Lovers Rock,” “Shame” and “12 Years a Slave,” that’s more than enough reason to anticipate “Blitz.” Hopefully, we hear something soon.