A24 reveals the first trailer for The Tragedy of Macbeth confirming the William Shakespeare adaptation’s December theatrical release date. The plot of Shakespeare’s tale revolves around a Scottish general who finds himself convinced by three witches he will one day be the King of Scotland, though his strive for power is hampered by his own ambition and power-hungry wife. Oscar winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand are leading the film’s cast that also includes Bertie Carvel, Alex Hassell, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling and Brendan Gleeson.
Coen was first announced to be writing and directing a new take on the Tragedy of Macbeth in early 2019 separate from his brother Ethan, who is currently taking a break from the world of film to focus on theater. Washington, who has returned to the latter frequently in the past decade, signed on for the cast shortly thereafter along with McDormand and production swiftly began in Los Angeles in February 2020, though wouldn’t properly conclude in July due to delays from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With theaters still remaining closed, A24 announced this past May it was partnering with Apple for a limited theatrical release for The Tragedy of Macbeth followed by a streaming premiere on Apple TV+.
Ahead of its world premiere at the New York Film Festival, A24 has unveiled the first trailer for The Tragedy of Macbeth. The video offers a look at Coen’s adaptation of the Shakespeare play, its star-studded cast and December theatrical release and January streaming premiere dates. Check out the enticing first trailer below:
Click here to watch the trailer
Shakespeare’s Macbeth still stands as one of the most popular of his bibliography as well as one of the most adapted for screen with nearly two dozen films, even as recently as Justin Kurzel’s 2015 eponymous film starring Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. While the idea of another adaptation so soon may not stand out as one of the more anticipated historical dramas coming up, the first trailer for The Tragedy of Macbeth should certainly capture the attention of audiences. With Coen’s stylish visuals, a unique decision to shoot in black-and-white and the award-winning cast driving the story forward, fans of the filmmaker and actors are sure to flock to the film after the first trailer.
The Tragedy of Macbeth also comes at an interesting time for A24, who are coming off of David Lowery’s adaptation of the Arthurian epic The Green Knight. Though the two tales are separated by roughly 300 years of history and genres, the first trailer for the former indicates Coen bringing a similarly artful and subversive approach to the source material as Lowery did with his acclaimed film. Only time will tell if Coen’s film reaches the same heights as Lowery’s when it arrives in select theaters on December 25 and Apple TV+ on January 14.
