Promised Land

Production Begins on Gus Van Sant’s PROMISED LAND Starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 24th, 2012 at 1:41 pm

Focus Features announced today that production has commenced on the drama Promised Land.  The screenplay was written by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, based on a story by Dave Eggers, and the project was poised to be Damon’s directorial debut before scheduling issues forced him to vacate the director’s chair. Damon’s Good Will Hunting director Gus Van Sant swooped in and swiftly took over directing duties, and now filming has begun.  Focus President Jeb Brody draws some very flattering comparisons when describing the project:

“Matt and John’s script is rich in Frank Capra-esque qualities, blending humor and heart while exploring the power of community in this day and age. An actor’s director like Gus will bring forth all the emotions in the story, which is a true passion project for everyone.”

In addition to Damon and Krasinski, the cast also includes Frances McDormand, Hal Holbrook, Rosemarie DeWitt, Scoot McNairy, and Titus Welliver.  Hit the jump to read the press release, which includes a plot synopsis.

Rosemarie DeWitt Joins Matt Damon in Gus Van Sant’s PROMISED LAND

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 9th, 2012 at 12:14 pm

The previously untitled project written by Matt Damon, John Krasinski and Dave Eggers that was set to be Damon’s directorial debut now has a female lead. Deadline reports that Rosemarie DeWitt (Mad Men) will star in Promised Land. The Capraesque film pits Damon and Krasinski as rival corporate executives, with Damon’s character arriving in a small town only to have his whole life called into question. The supremely talented actor was poised to make the film his directorial debut, but was forced to scale back to only a starring role when schedule conflicts prevented him from devoting a considerable amount of time to pre-production work. Damon’s Good Will Hunting director Gus Van Sant promptly signed on to helm Promised Land, and production is now poised to begin next month.

DeWitt is probably best known for her multi-season arc on AMC’s Mad Men (she’s one of the first people we met in the pilot), but she’s poised to break big very soon. She had a impressive turns in United States of Tara and Ben Affleck’s The Company Men, and she stars in this summer’s comedy Neighborhood Watch alongside Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and Jonah Hill.

Focus and Participant Acquire Matt Damon and John Krasinski’s PROMISED LAND; Sony Picks Up Marion Cotillard Starrer RUST & BONE

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 1st, 2012 at 5:26 pm

It looks like the Gus Van Sant-directed drama starring Matt Damon and John Krasinski now has a title and a distributor. Known as Promised Land, Focus Features and Participant Media had the winning bid for the project co-written by the two stars. Although it was originally meant to be Damon’s directorial debut, scheduling conflicts prevented it. Promised Land stars Damon as a sales executive whose arrival in a small town turns his life upside down. Krasinski will play a rival corporate executive.

Also acquired today by Sony Pictures Classics was the Marion Cotillard-starrer Rust & Bone by director Jacques Audiard (A Prophet). The project is an adaptation from a book of shot stories by Craig Davidson. Hit the jump to check out more from both projects.

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