After being a creative force behind such Hollywood vehicles as A Beautiful Mind, Cinderella Man, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, I Am Legend and more, Akiva Goldsman is trying his hand at directing a feature for the first time with Winter’s Tale. An adaptation of Mark Helprin‘s novel, the first trailer has now landed for the romantic epic that will hit theaters on the prime spot of Valentine’s Day.
Following Colin Farrell as a robber in the 19th century who falls in love with fatally-ill heiress, we seemingly jump back and forth between the time period and present-day Manhattan. It’s difficult to glean the exact tone and structure from this trailer, which is the main reason why I’m looking forward to seeing a film of this scope in a genre that normally seems to go the straight-forward route. Check out the trailer and poster below for the film also starring Jessica Brown Findlay, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, Eva Marie Saint, Russell Crowe, Ripley Sobo, Mckayla Twiggs and Will Smith, who is absent from this first look.
Set in a mythic New York City and spanning more than a century, “Winter’s Tale” is a story of miracles, crossed destinies, and the age-old battle between good and evil. The film stars Colin Farrell (“Total Recall”), Jessica Brown Findlay (TV’s “Downton Abbey”), and Oscar® winners Jennifer Connelly (“A Beautiful Mind”), William Hurt (“Kiss of the Spider Woman”), Eva Marie Saint (“On the Waterfront”) and Russell Crowe (“Gladiator”). “Winter’s Tale” also introduces young newcomers Ripley Sobo and Mckayla Twiggs (both from Broadway’s “Once”). The film marks the directorial debut of Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman (“A Beautiful Mind”), who also wrote the screenplay, based on the acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin.
Winter’s Tale opens on February 14th.