NOTE: The above image is from “Tomorrow Never Dies” which, in my books, is well worth seeing just for Elswit’s incredibly underrated photography.
“Ella McCay,” which is set to be Brooks’ first film in over 15 years, and wrapped production in May 2024, has a cast that includes Emma Mackey, Rebecca Hall, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani, Jack Lowden, and Spike Fearn.
I’m hearing Robert Elswit is the DP on James L. Brooks’ “Ella McCay” — he’s coming off the beautiful black & white photography he produced on Netflix’s “Ripley.” Elswit used to be Paul Thomas Anderson’s go-to cinematographer (“There Will Be Blood,” “Punch Drunk-Love”), but they had a falling out during the production of “Inherent Vice.”
One has to acknowledge Elswit’s staggering body of work. He was Oscar-nominated for his sumptuous work in George Clooney’s “Good Night and Good Luck,” but will forever be known for his incredible photography in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “There Will Be Blood,” for which he won the Oscar. Using desert daylight, via 35mm film, Elswit created a visionary landscape of hell, fire and brimstone.
Back to “Ella McCay,” I previously reported that it was going to be going through reshoots during the last week of March — my source tells me the additional photography won’t last for more than a week, or so. A TIFF world premiere is being eyed for the film.
“Ella McCay” is said to follow an idealistic young politician who juggles familial issues and a challenging work life while preparing to take over the job of her mentor, the state’s longtime incumbent governor.
Brooks, 83, has only directed six films in his four-decade filmmaking career, but three of them are classics (“Terms of Endearment,” “Broadcast News” and “As Good As It Gets”). His last film was 2010’s “How Do You Know,” which also happens to be the last time Jack Nicholson appeared in a movie.
Last year, 20th Century Studios announced at CinemaCon that “Ella McCay” would be released sometime in 2025. Here’s hoping they stick with that plan.