The first trailer and poster for the thriller Arbitrage have gone online.  Richard Gere stars as a troubled hedge fund magnate desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire who makes a bloody error that forces him to scramble for help.  The cast, anchored by Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth and rising star Brit Marling, is impressive and Arbitrage looks to be a fairly engrossing thriller.  It’s obvious that there are two stories trying to be told at the same time, and I’m hoping the more intriguing character-centered one takes front and center.  Matt noted this dichotomy in his review from Sundance, but I’m still quite eager to check the full film out once it hits theaters.

Hit the jump to watch the trailer and check out the poster.  Directed by Nicholas Jarecki, the film also stars Laetitia Casta and Nate Parker.  Arbitrage opens on September 14th.

There are two movies living inside Nicolas Jarecki‘s Arbitrage.  Both films are about justice and a wealthy man’s struggle to elude it.  They both appeal to our hope that one day the truth will out and that no one can hide their dark secrets forever no matter how desperately they might try.  Both stories transcend class because we can all relate to a character who will stop at nothing when he’s at risk of losing everything.  But only one story helps Arbitrage stand apart by intelligently showcasing a crime we rarely see depicted in film and embracing the rich drama of family betrayal.  The other story is a dull episode of Law & Order.

With our continuing coverage of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival’s Spotlight line-up, we’re bringing you some early looks at next year’s films. Hit the jump for synopses and images from writer-director Julie Delpy‘s 2 Days in New York, starring Delpy and Chris Rock; writer-director Nicholas Jarecki‘s Arbitrage, starring Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Roth; writer-director Leslye Headland‘s Bachelorette, starring Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher and Lizzy Caplan; and writer-director Josh Radnor‘s Liberal Arts, starring Radnor and Elizabeth Olsen.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival runs from Thursday, January 19^th to Sunday, the 29^th.  Click here for all our coverage.