The Bikeriders release date, cast, plot, and everything we know so far about Austin Butler’s next movie. Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Austin Butler are just some of the big names that are attached to star in the new film from Jeff Nichols.
The Bikeriders Release Date
After a notable break from directing feature films, the distinguished filmmaker Jeff Nichols is poised to make a comeback with his latest project, The Bikeriders. Saying Jeff Nichols has never made a bad movie isn’t an exaggeration; his filmography is a testament to his exceptional craft and storytelling prowess. Starting with his debut, Shotgun Stories, Nichols captivated audiences with a gripping narrative of a fatal family feud in Arkansas.
His follow-up film, Take Shelter, reunited him with actor Michael Shannon, exploring the life of a man haunted by apocalyptic premonitions. Then came Mud, a masterful coming-of-age story set in rural America that earned unanimous praise, even achieving a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score for a considerable period. Nichols continued his streak of compelling narratives with Midnight Special, blending heartfelt father-son dynamics with enthralling science fiction elements.
Loving, Nichols’ last venture, was a critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated portrayal of an interracial couple’s legal battle in 1960s Virginia. Nichols’ filmography is unparalleled, with each of his five features being celebrated for their quality. Since Loving’s 2016 release, Nichols has taken a hiatus from film directing, choosing to direct a music video for Lucero’s “Long Way Back Home” and create the podcast series Hank the Cowdog instead.
Fans of Nichols’ work have much to look forward to with The Bikeriders, his eagerly awaited return to filmmaking. For those eager to learn more about the cast, and crew, and when they can expect the film’s release, here’s all the information currently available on The Bikeriders.
Is There a Release Date for the Bikeriders
Focus Features has set the release date for The Bikeriders to Friday, June 21, 2024, pushing it back by over six months from its initially planned premiere. Originally, 20th Century Studios aimed for a December 1, 2023, release. However, due to unforeseen delays, the film was removed from Disney and 20th Century Studios’ release calendar.
In a significant turn of events in November 2023, Disney and 20th Century Studios decided to drop The Bikeriders, with New Regency then seeking a new home for the film among other studios and streaming services. This decision was partly influenced by the commercial disappointment of The Creator, a previous venture between 20th Century Studios and New Regency.
Shortly after, reports emerged that Focus Features had acquired the film, renewing the partnership that saw the release of Robert Eggers’ The Northman under a collaboration with New Regency.
The Bikeriders premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2023, sharing the spotlight with other eagerly awaited films like Alexander Payne’s The Holdovers and Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn. Despite the anticipation, its screening at the London Film Festival received a less enthusiastic response from Collider’s Emma Kiely, hinting at a mixed reception ahead of its wider release.
She said in her interview that;
“The Bikeriders could have been decent but it gets lost in its pursuit of an epic story that just isn’t there. While Comer makes a committed effort to carry the film, it falls flat in its excessive filler, undeveloped characters, and symphony of bonkers accents.”
Will the Bikeriders Be In Theaters?
Although New Regency explored options with various streamers and studios for The Bikeriders, the acquisition by Focus Features guarantees a theatrical release for the film. Following its run in cinemas, The Bikeriders is set to be available on the Peacock streaming service, allowing a broader audience to access the film after its initial theatrical showcase. This approach ensures that moviegoers have the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen first, with subsequent availability on Peacock catering to streaming audiences.
Stars and Characters
Jeff Nichols, renowned for collaborating with high-caliber talent, has outdone himself with the casting for The Bikeriders, arguably assembling the most stellar cast of his career. A familiar face in Nichols’ works, Michael Shannon, known for his role as General Zod in DC’s The Flash, marks his sixth collaboration with Nichols, maintaining a streak that spans all of Nichols’ feature films.
Joining the ensemble is Tom Hardy, the star of the Venom series, bringing his Oscar-nominated talent (recognized for The Revenant) to what many anticipate could be another significant role in his career. Austin Butler, fresh from his acclaimed performance in Elvis that nearly secured him a Best Actor win, adds to the film’s star power alongside Emmy winner Jodie Comer, whose filmography includes hits like Free Guy and The Last Duel, signaling her continued rise in feature films.
The cast also boasts Boyd Holbrook, known for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Norman Reedus, a fan favorite from The Walking Dead, both playing key roles among the film’s motorcycling protagonists. Additional notable talents include Mike Faist of West Side Story fame, Damon Herriman from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Toby Wallace seen in Finestkind, Emory Cohen from Brooklyn, Beau Knapp of The Nice Guys, Karl Glusman from The Idol, and Happy Anderson, known for his role in Bad Boys for Life, rounding out a profoundly impressive cast that promises to bring Nichols’ vision to life in what is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films in his oeuvre.
What Is the Film About?
The Bikeriders, Jeff Nichols’ forthcoming film, draws inspiration from Danny Lyon’s journalistic photography book, which shares the film’s title. Lyon’s work is celebrated as one of the foremost documentation of 1960s biker culture, offering an authentic and immersive glimpse into the lives and ethos of motorcycle enthusiasts during that era.
This significant book even predates Easy Rider, one of the most iconic films centered on biker culture, highlighting its influence and importance in capturing the essence of a pivotal moment in American subculture. Nichols’ adaptation aims to bring the depth and realism of Lyon’s observations to the cinematic realm, promising a narrative that not only pays homage to the original material but also explores the themes and stories of biker culture with nuanced depth.
Here is the official plot synopsis of the film via Focus Features;
“The Bikeriders follows the rise of a midwestern motorcycle club, the Vandals. Seen through the lives of its members, the club evolves over the course of a decade from a gathering place for local outsiders into a more sinister gang, threatening the original group’s unique way of life.”
Who Is Making the Film
Jeff Nichols, renowned for his direction of acclaimed films such as Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter, Mud, Midnight Special, and Loving, is poised to make a highly anticipated return to the director’s chair with The Bikeriders. In addition to directing, Nichols will also pen the screenplay for the film, which draws its narrative from Daniel Lyon’s influential book.
The production team behind this eagerly awaited project includes editor Julie Monroe, known for her work on Only Murders in the Building, alongside production designer Chad Keith, who lent his talents to Scream, and costume designer Erin Benach, recognized for her creative contributions to Birds of Prey. Adam Stone, a frequent collaborator of Nichols on all his previous films, will rejoin the team as the cinematographer, ensuring the visual storytelling remains as compelling as ever.
According to a social media update from a crew member involved in the project, The Bikeriders successfully completed its filming in December 2022, marking a significant milestone in bringing this much-anticipated film closer to audiences worldwide.
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