Reagan (2024 film) explained

Reagan
Director:Sean McNamara
Producer:Mark Joseph
Cinematography:Christian Sebaldt
Editing:Clayton Woodhull
Studio:MJM Entertainment
Distributor:ShowBiz Direct
Country:United States
Language:English
Budget:$25 million[1]

Reagan is an upcoming American biographical drama film directed by Sean McNamara and written by Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord, based on Paul Kengor's 2006 book The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. The film stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan. Penelope Ann Miller, Robert Davi, Lesley-Anne Down and Jon Voight feature in supporting roles.

Principal photography on the film began on September 9, 2020, and included locations such as Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Reagan is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on August 30, 2024.

Premise

The film follows Ronald Reagan's life from his childhood to his years as president of the United States, told by Viktor Ivanov, a former KGB agent.

Production

In 2010, it was announced producer Mark Joseph would be producing a feature film biopic of Ronald Reagan with Joseph having been inspired to take on such a project after reacting to the miniseries The Reagans with distaste.[2] Screenwriter Jonas McCord had initially been uninterested in the project, but changed his mind after deciding that Reagan's childhood and formative years were dramatically rich.[2]

Klausner and McCord wrote the script based on a book by Paul Kengor: The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism.[3] Kengor described the script's development as faithful to both his books and history.[4]

In 2012, Jon Voight was in discussions to portray Viktor Petrovich, whom Kengor said "is actually a character based on a number of KGB agents and Soviet analysts who we now know were tasked with keeping tabs on Ronald Reagan for many years".[5]

In August 2016, it was reported Sean McNamara, who had worked as a sound engineer at the age of 18 during filming of Reagan's inauguration ceremony in 1981, had signed on to direct.[1] John G. Avildsen had been in negotiations to direct prior to his death.[6] Penelope Ann Miller who plays Nancy Reagan in the film described Reagan as being a Rocky like love story where the primary focus would be on the romance between Ronald and Nancy.[6]

Joseph had trouble securing financing for the film with several deals made before production actually started, only for the money to never actually come through. This led to Joseph turning to outside independent financing which made up the film's $25 million budget.[6]

Principal photography began on September 9, 2020. Filming locations included Guthrie, Oklahoma. It was announced on October 22, 2020, that filming had shut down after several crew members tested positive for COVID-19 in the midst of the ongoing pandemic.[7] [8] Filming resumed on November 5, 2020.

Music

The film features prominent musicians' covers of standards. Bob Dylan sings Cole Porter "Don't Fence Me In" over the end credits. Gene Simmons covers the 1930s standard "Stormy Weather". Clint Black sings John Denver’s "Take Me Home, Country Roads."[9] The original score was composed by John Coda.

Release

The film was originally due to be released in 2021 but was then delayed to a then-unknown date.[8] [10] [11] In March 2024, it was announced ShowBiz Direct would distribute the film and that it would be released in theaters on August 30, 2024.[12] Facebook temporarily restricted the film from advertising on its platform, claiming that advertisements of the movie were efforts to influence the 2024 United States elections.[13]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Ronald Reagan Biopic Draws 'Soul Surfer' Director Sean McNamara. Variety. March 26, 2024. April 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190415082305/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/ronald-reagan-biopic-soul-surfer-director-sean-mcnamara-1201843202/. live.
  2. News: Reed. Betsy. Ronald Reagan's life story to be told on big screen . The Guardian. March 26, 2024.
  3. Web site: Director of Dennis Quaid Reagan Biopic Eyes Release in August or September . Zimmerman . David . March 11, 2024 . . March 20, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318121406/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/penelope-ann-miller-nancy-reagan-ronald-reagan-biopic-1234803950/ . March 18, 2023.
  4. Web site: Ronald Reagan Biopic Heading to Cannes . Bond . Paul . May 6, 2014 . . March 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318123044/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ronald-reagan-biopic-heading-cannes-701502/ . March 18, 2023.
  5. Web site: Jon Voight in Negotiations to Play KGB Agent in Ronald Reagan Biopic (Exclusive) . Bond . Paul . December 18, 2012 . . March 18, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230318122545/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jon-voight-negotiations-join-reagan-404560/ . March 18, 2023.
  6. Web site: Newsweek. 2021-07-28. Inside the Making of Hollywood's New Ronald Reagan Movie. 2024-03-26. Newsweek.com. August 13, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240813194502/https://www.newsweek.com/2021/07/30/inside-story-how-hollywood-conservatives-made-their-ronald-reagan-movie-1613738.html. live.
  7. Web site: 'Reagan' biopic filming in Oklahoma halts production after crew members reportedly test positive for COVID-19. The Oklahoman. Brandy. McDonnell. October 27, 2020. November 17, 2020. January 18, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210118014515/http://oklahoman.com/article/5674912/reagan-biopic-filming-in-oklahoma-halts-production-after-crew-members-reportedly-test-positive-for-covid-19. live.
  8. Web site: Ronald Reagan Movie Pauses Production After Coronavirus Outbreak. Newsweek.com. Paul. Bond. October 22, 2020. November 17, 2020. June 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611113629/https://www.newsweek.com/ronald-reagan-movie-pauses-production-after-coronavirus-outbreak-1541458. live.
  9. Web site: Kreps . Daniel . 2024-08-17 . Bob Dylan to Cover ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ for Ronald Reagan Biopic . 2024-08-17 . Rolling Stone . August 17, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240817233515/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/bob-dylan-dont-fence-me-in-ronald-reagan-biopic-1235082418/ . live .
  10. Web site: Reagan star Dennis Quaid on the challenges and 'honor' of bringing 40th President to the screen. Entertainment Weekly.com. Lauren. Huff. January 22, 2021. January 22, 2021. January 22, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210122020621/https://ew.com/movies/first-look-dennis-quaid-ronald-reagan/. live.
  11. Web site: Dennis Quaid on Cowboys & Indians. June 23, 2022. Cowboys & Indians. June 29, 2022. June 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220623212756/https://www.cowboysindians.com/2022/06/dennis-quaid/. live.
  12. Web site: Dennis Quaid Starrer 'Reagan' Strikes North American Deal With Newly Launched ShowBiz Direct. March 26, 2024. Deadline Hollywood. March 26, 2024. March 26, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240326184434/https://deadline.com/2024/03/reagan-movie-release-date-set-showbiz-direct-1235868769/. live.
  13. Web site: Hays . Gabriel . 16 August 2024 . Dennis Quaid baffled by Facebook's explanation for throttling promotion of Reagan biopic . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240818160010/https://www.foxnews.com/media/dennis-quaid-baffled-facebook-explanation-throttling-promotion-reagan-biopic . August 18, 2024 . 18 August 2024 . Fox News.

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