Co-written by co-stars Matt Damon and John Krasinski, Promised Land has its first trailer and poster online.
A surprise awards contender was originally going to be Damon's feature-length directorial debut, but after he couldn't direct, he got his old Good Will Hunting helmer, Gus Van Sant, to take over as the two look to once again tap into some Oscar glory.
The upcoming drama which opens in limited theaters (New York and Los Angeles) on December 28th, 2012 (Oscar qualifying run) also stars Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt, Hal Holbrook and Scoot McNairy.
The story was originally conceived by Krasinski and author/screenwriter Dave Eggers, before Damon and Krasinski penned the script because they've started the casting process strong by signing up another Academy Award winner McDormand.
Well, Damon and McDormand play ace corporate salesmen who try to prey on the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years only to have their mission complicated by the citizens they encounter.
Michael Clayton meets Erin Brockovich drama, but with Van Sant's smart enough not to let the underlying message get in the way of the storytelling and with the excellent supporting cast, Promised Land expanding nationwide on January 11th, 2012.
Watch the trailer and poster below:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GDuVbXKQ9U[/youtube]
Here's the synopsis:
Promised Land is the new contemporary drama directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, Milk). Matt Damon plays Steve Butler, an ace corporate salesman who is sent along with his partner, Sue Thomason (Frances McDormand), to close a key rural town in his company's expansion plans. With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company's offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Hal Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (John Krasinski), as well as the interest of a local woman (Rosemarie DeWitt). Promised Land explores America at the crossroads where big business and the strength of small-town community converge.
