In an interview with THR, Brady Corbet, the director behind “The Brutalist,” clarified some details about his next film.
Corbet confirms plans to shoot his untitled Western in 70mm, with production eyed for next summer, and it will indeed be rated NC-17—or “X,” in his own words. However, although the film is “inspired” by the stylings of ’70s films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, it won’t be a horror movie.
It’s true that the film is an X-rated movie, and it’s true that it takes place mostly in the 1970s, but the film spans from the 19th century into the present day; it’s just predominantly focused on the ’70s. The film is really, really genre-defined. But it was reported that the movie has something to do with ‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,’ which is not true at all. That is just inaccurate. I think that the reason that was misconstrued is that I was talking about making a film that’s set in the 1970s.
Corbet adds that the film tackles “Northern California’s economy.” He is currently conducting camera tests—the third round—using “really rarefied formats that have usually shot individual shots in movies, but not entire films before.”
Previously, Corbet told The New York Times’ Kyle Buchanan that the film would be four hours in length. He also mentioned in another interview that it would once again explore the immigration process, this time from China to California. He’s shooting the project on very rare eight-perf 65mm cameras.
No casting or plot details have been revealed. We have no idea who is backing the project, but don’t be surprised if Corbet’s ‘Brutalist’ studio, A24, returns for this one. Otherwise, I’m sure Neon would jump on the opportunity if they get the chance.
This will be Corbet’s fourth feature after “Childhood of a Leader,” “Vox Lux,” and “The Brutalist,” the latter of which earned 10 Oscar nominations and won three, including Best Actor (Adrien Brody), Best Cinematography (Lol Crawley), and Best Original Score (Daniel Blumberg).