UPDATE: A trailer has been released for “Roofman.” Seems like Cianfrance is pivoting more towards comedy with this one. An unusual change of pace for him. It will certainly be his most mainstream effort to date.
EARLIER: It’s been a long time coming, but Derek Cianfrance is finally back. His latest feature, “Roofman,” is already being positioned for a major festival run in fall 2025. Miramax has dated the film for an October 3, 2025 release — smack in the heart of awards season.
We have our first look at the film via first look images from EW.
Cianfrance, known for “Blue Valentine” and “The Place Beyond the Pines,” hasn’t released a feature since 2016’s “The Light Between Oceans.” That’s nearly a decade-long absence from one of indie cinema’s most emotionally resonant filmmakers. “Roofman” will mark his fourth feature in 13 years.
The film stars Channing Tatum, Kirsten Dunst, and Peter Dinklage, and tells the stranger-than-fiction story of Jeffrey Manchester (played by Tatum), a former military man who spent the late ’90s robbing dozens of McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. His spree — reportedly between 40 and 60 heists — took a bizarre turn when he moved into a Charlotte, NC Toys “R” Us, where he lived undetected for months. He survived off baby food, kids' snacks, and used a bicycle to exercise around the store after hours.
It doesn’t necesarilly sound like prime material for Cianfrance’s signature romance-meets-humanity style, but it might work. The story is crazy enough. Cianfrance must be ecstatic that he dropped out of directing “Wolfman,” which was supposed to be his next project, but “Roofman” is now set to be his first film in over 8 years.
As for where “Roofman” will land on the festival circuit, maybe Telluride? Definitely TIFF. Venice is an outside shot as Cianfrance has been on the Lido before, but isn’t a regular. It’ll all depend on the quality of the film.
