The French Dispatch

Source: Searchlight Pictures

‘The French Dispatch’

Searchlight Pictures announced on Thursday (January 21) a raft of 2021 theatrical releases that was notable for the omission of The French Dispatch.

Screen understands from industry insiders that the studio is thought to be waiting for clarity on when this year’s Cannes Film Festival will take place as it targets a Croisette premiere for Wes Anderson’s 2020 Cannes Label selection.

Latest speculation points to a postponed start in late June, July or possibly even August for the festival, which is currently dated for May 11-22, although few believe it will stick to those dates.

Thursday’s announcement sees David Bruckner’s horror story The Night House starring Rebecca Hall set to open on July 16, while Michael Showalter’s televangelist biopic The Eyes Of Tammy Faye starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield is dated for September 24.

Scott Cooper’s horror mystery Antlers with Keri Russell and Jesse Plemons is set for October 29. Guillermo del Toro produced Antlers, and directed the upcoming mystery thriller Nightmare Alley starring Bradley Cooper and Cate Blanchett for Searchlight that is dated for December 3.

Searchlight previously set an exclusive IMAX launch for awards contender Nomadland on January 29, followed by a day-and-date release in US cinemas, drive-ins, and on Hulu on February 19.