Mel Gibson WWII Movie ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ Jumps Into November Awards Season; ‘The Shack’ To Open In March 2017
EXCLUSIVE: Mel Gibson’s next directorial, Hacksaw Ridge from Lionsgate, will open on Nov. 4. Deadline hears that the film tested through the roof and the best place for this title which has equal parts drama, action and faith-based nuances is right in the heart of the awards fall season. Ali Jaafar originally broke the news about Gibson’s movie back in November 2014. Hacksaw Ridge stars Andrew Garfield as Desmond T. Doss, who was the first conscientious objector in U.S. history to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Doss was a U.S. Army medic who served in World War II during the Battle of Okinawa and refused to kill. President Truman awarded him the Medal of Honor for saving so many lives. The pic produced by Bill Mechanic, David Permut, Brian Oliver, Tyler Thompson, Bruce Davey, William D. Johnson and Paul Currie stars also stars Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, Vince Vaughn. The film was co-financed by Cross Creek and Demarest Films.
In addition, the Summit Entertainment movie The Shack is moving from its Nov. 18, 2016 date to March 3, 2017. The Sam Worthington drama about a grieving man who receives a mysterious, personal invitation to meet with God at a place called “The Shack,” also tested well and given its strong faith based elements, fits well during the Lenten season. In fact, March 3 is two days after Ash Wednesday next year.
Both titles will be released wide. Hacksaw Ridge will vie for older adults on Nov. 4 against fanboy destination Doctor Strange from Disney/Marvel, kid pic Trolls from 20th Century Fox/DreamWorks Animation, and Warner Bros.’ Ed Helms-Owen Wilson comedy Bastards.
On March 3, The Shack will vs. Fox’s untitled Wolverine movie.
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