It’s time to adjust our most-anticipated films of the year list. Although Wes Anderson‘s Moonrise Kingdom follow-up The Grand Budapest Hotel was previously thought to be aiming for a 2014 release, some acquisition news has delivered a welcome surprise. Fox Searchlight snatched up the worldwide rights to the film, which recently wrapped production in Berlin, and is considering the possibility of a late 2013 release.
Reteaming with the director after Fantastic Mr. Fox and The Darjeeling Limited, the distributor also revealed the complete cast, which includes the additions of Tom Wilkinson and Tony Revolori (Shameless). They are joining one of the best ensembles of the year, which includes Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Adrien Brody, Harvey Keitel, Jason Schwartzman, Willem Dafoe, Jeff Goldblum, Saoirse Ronan, Mathieu Amalric, F Murray Abraham and Bob Balaban. Searchlight also revealed an expanded synopsis, which reveals a rather epic undertaking by Anderson, and can be read below.
The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee who becomes his trusted protégé. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting, the battle for an enormous family fortune and the slow and then sudden upheavals that transformed Europe during the first half of the 20th century.
One can keep their fingers crossed for that late 2013 release, as Fox Searchlight only has a Black Nativity, the comedy Baggage Claim and a thriller titled Panda Eyes in their fall slate now. If they want to factor into the awards race, we wouldn’t be surprised if this one sneaks in. In the meantime, check out the first look of our cast on set as we await more details. [Screen Daily]
Are you looking forward to Grand Budapest possibly hitting this year? What do you make of the synopsis?