‘Mank’ Trailer: Gary Oldman Is An Unraveling 1930s Hollywood Writer In David Fincher’s Netflix Film
No one can play an unraveling genius likeGary Oldman, though the “genius” part may be in question inDavid Fincher’s highly anticipated return to feature filmmaking,Mank. Fincher’s first film in six years is a portrait of 1930s Hollywood, with Oldman’sCitizen Kanescreenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz at the center — though most people just call him Mank. Watch the officialManktrailer below.
Mank Trailer
Fincher’s first film since 2014’sGone Girlhas been long in the making. Penned by his fatherJack Fincher,Mankis Fincher’s passion project that he has been working on since at least 1997. And it’s curious how it took so long: the premise of the behind-the-scenes battle over the making ofCitizen Kanesounds like the kind of juicy industry story that Hollywood falls head over heels for. But perhaps it was Fincher’s grand vision of not just the story of Herman J. Mankiewicz — whose credit for theCitizen Kanescreenplay was famously a point of contention between him and directorOrson Welles, who would claim credit — but as an ode to 1930s Hollywood in all its black and white glory.
Producer Eric Roth teased as much in June, saying, “It’s an incredible piece. He did a black-and-white ’30s movie. It looks like a ’30s movie and feels like one.” And we see howManklives and breathes 1930s Hollywood in the new official trailer, which revolves less aroundCitizen Kaneas it does around Mankiewicz’s indulgent lifestyle and unraveling psyche as he attempts to write a screenplay about William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance), with the shadow of Orson Welles looming over the entire process. The trailer is fragmented and jumbled, but probably intentionally so, as one character makes the same criticism about Mank’s screenplay. “Welcome to my mind,” Mank replies.
Gary Oldman stars as Mankiewicz, withTom Burkeplaying Orson Welles,Amanda Seyfriedas Marion Davies,Lily Collinsas Rita Alexander,Arliss Howardas Louis B. Mayer,Charles Danceas William Randolph Hearst,Tom Pelphreyas Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Tuppence Middleton as Sara Mankiewicz,Joseph Crossas Charles Lederer,Craig Robert Youngas Charlie Chaplin,Sebastian Faureas Clark Gable,Michelle Twarowskaas Joan Crawford,Scarlet Cummingsas Bette Davis,Natalie Denise Sperlas Greta Garbo,Trevor Wooldridgeas Darryl F. Zanuck,Ferdinand Kingsleyas Irving Thalberg, andToby Leonard Mooreas David O. Selznick.
Here is the (brief) synopsis forMank:
1930s Hollywood is re-evaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane for Orson Welles.
Mankwill open in select theaters in November before arriving on Netflix onDecember 4, 2020.
