EXCLUSIVE: Briarcliff Entertainment has set a March 21 release for Magazine Dreams, the Elijah Bynum-scripted and directed drama that after 2023 Sundance was expected to put its star Jonathan Majors in the Best Actor race and a major star trajectory.
That was before Majors’ indiscretions with a former girlfriend cast a creepy light on the emotionally troubled aspiring bodybuilder character he plays in the film, prompting Searchlight to drop the picture as Majors’ wound through the legal system. He was eventually found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
Beyond the high price paid by Majors — who transformed his body eating 6100 calories daily and training six days a week, and wound up exiting the Avengers films and had just come off a terrific performance opposite Michael B. Jordan in Creed III – a lot of people worked hard on Magazine Dreams, and it seemed all for naught. That included Bynum, who was poised to break out on the film. Now, he still might, as could Majors’ co-stars Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige and four-time Mr. Universe Mike O’Hearn.
“Dozens of incredibly talented people poured their time, energy, and creativity into bringing this film to life, and I am immensely proud of their work,” Bynum said. “I’m grateful to Tom Ortenberg and Briarcliff Entertainment for their unwavering support, passion, and for giving this film the opportunity to reach a wider audience.”
Ortenberg this fall stepped up to give The Apprentice a release that created awards buzz for stars Jeremy Strong, Sebastian Stan, director Ali Abbassi Maria Bakalova and scripter Gabriel Sherman. His past hot button releases included Fahrenheit 9/11 and the Best Picture winner Spotlight.
Zeus Network is Briarcliff’s marketing partner for Magazine Dreams.
The film is produced by Jennifer Fox, Dan Gilroy, Jeffrey Soros, and Simon Horsman. Executive producers include Majors for his Tall Street Productions, and Luke Rodgers and Andrew Blau for Los Angeles Media Fund. Also executive producing are Lemuel Plummer, LJ Plummer and Jason Tolbert.