State of Play Movie Trailer

Posted on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 by Peter Sciretta

Universal Pictures has released the trailer for State of Play, the new dramatic crime thriller starring Ben Affleck and Russell Crowe. Based on the BBC mini-series of the same title, the film tells the story of ” a team of investigative reporters work alongside a police detective to try to solve the murder of a congressman’s mistress.” Ben Affleck, who replaced Edward Norton in the final hour leading up to the production, plays the fast-rising politician who is caught up in a murder conspiracy. Crowe of course plays a journalist who is investigating the killing. Brad Pitt was attached to play the reporter role but also dropped out at the last minute. Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman co-star.

State of Play is directed by Kevin Macdonald, the Academy Award winning documentary turned feature filmmaker behind Last King of Scotland, Touching the Void and One Day in September. The screenplay adaptation was penned by Michael Clayton and Bourne scribe Tony Gilroy and Matthew Michael Carnahan (The Kingdom). The movie looks like a decent crime thriller, but not much more. May-be I was just expecting a lot more considering all the talent (currently and formerly) involved with the project. Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Watch the trailer in High Definition on Yahoo. State of Play hits theaters on April 17th 2009.

Comments 

 

Related Posts

Tags

Action/Adventure, Movie Trailers, Thriller, Universal, , , , , , , , , ,

  • Good supporting cast but not too excited.
  • In theory this story should work better as a 2 hour film than a six hour miniseries.
  • The trailer for the miniseries is better, but I still expect great things from this.
  • Truman
    So Bateman's the killer?
  • this looks pretty tired and cliche to me but i thought the exact same thing when i saw the michael clayton trailer. of course that movie turned out great, so i'm giving this the benefit of the doubt considering the talent.
  • Wow, that was shockingly averaged considering the talent involved, perhaps this is just a poorly cut trailer. Please don't let this be another Edison.
  • yeah, i think it's just a very poorly cut trailer.
  • Nick
    Having seen the series, I can safely say they're sticking quit close to it. Even the offices and the press conference seem to be the same both in set and in shot choices. The original has a great cast and isn't too long, worth seeking out.
  • looks like a decent movie, but nothing too exciting, original or breath-taking.
  • Joogle
    Hell yeah, Jason Bateman! I didn't see him in the trailer. HAH! What if he turned out to be the killer?
  • Goro
    The original series is definitely worth watching. Some really compelling moments and great talent involved. Having already seen it, i'm unlikely to watch the movie.
  • Just a guy
    Is that Russell Crowe or Eddie Vedder?
  • Looks good, I really like movies like this...and Rachel McAdams too? I love it...
  • Jeremy Bentham
    music at the end was sick though. great new take on the requiem theme.
  • James
    I think it''s probaly better than the trailer lets on. Remember Michael Clayton trailer? And based on the talent and screenwriter and director. My sense is that the studio is marketing like a big thriller to atract people.
  • Riley
    I am looking forward to seeing this. Is that Bateman getting punched in the face near the end? I will see it for him alone.
  • Dima
    Alright, can we please get passed this Affleck bashing. It's beyond old. The man can act and has proven so in Chasing Amy, Good Will Hunting, Changing Lanes, Hollywoodland etc. His problem lies in questionable role choices. This movie looks top-notch and I will definitely see it.
  • i agree, see my reply above to brian for more.
  • I'm actually really looking forward to this. I haven't been into thrillers for a long while, but this one seems to turn around the "Dark Murder Mystery" into something more compelling and likable; and with a good variety of characters I might add. Thrillers are usually good for a one shot viewing nowadays, but I think this one will hold up as more than your typical thriller.

    Something about the scene's in the parking garage brought back a sense of nostalgia...don't know what that was though.
  • Brian
    It's quite painful to see huge talented cast members such as Crowe, Mirren, and McAdams in the same film as someone like Ben Affleck.
    I had huge interest in the premise of this film when it was announced, then the Affleck factor turned me away....still a must watch because of Crowe, Mirren, and McAdams, but the true potential is dimished quite severely when Affleck is cast.
  • nah man, affleck isn't as bad as everyone makes him out to be. he was great in boiler room, good will hunting, hollywoodland, etc. i think the problem is that his shit movies (i.e. gigli, daredevil) really outweigh his good performances. having said that, i still prefer him behind the camera, gone baby was amazing.
  • Joe
    I don't know;. Doesn't look much better than 'meh.'
  • Bret
    wow, i dont hate affleck but acting wise he is out shined by every one in that cast. Edward Norton would have been a much better fit.
  • FrankieMachine
    The song is Dead Reckoning by Clint Mansell and is from Smokin Aces.
  • Have a strong feeling this will be deeper than the trailer lets on. Looking forward to it.
  • I think it looks pretty good. If I had to pick a movie based on trailer alone, this would be a likely candidate to choose.
  • hate these kind of trailers which tell you way to much about the story. They don't make me want to see a movie, but in fact turn me away from it. And Assfleck isn't so bad...do him and Matt Damon still hang out?
  • Greg
    Crow looks in a godawful state, and its going to be nowhere near as good as the TV Series
  • satex
    This looks like it will be a very good movie. I've never seen the original TV program so I'm not prejudged by that. I'm judging that from the talented cast, especially Crowe. I've always been amazed at how he is able to disapear and only his character is seen in his movies. THAT is true and very rare talent.
  • i've seen the british version several times and i could only hope they do well with this. they did ok with the office but that was an entirely different matter...
  • What's interesting is that I watched this trailer when it was originally posted, then instantly forgot that I had already watched it. That is, until I scrolled down, thought "hey this looks interesting," clicked play and then slapped myself in the forehead. Conclusion: literally forgettable.
  • Elissa
    I LOVE Russell Crowe, as in I think he's one of the most talented actors working today, but his last few movies have not interested me at all. A Good Year? Body of Lies? American Gangster was good but not fantastic. But I am relieved to see him cut the cord from Ridley Scott, at least briefly, for this film. (I like RS and all, but enough is enough!!!)

    It's also sad to see that RC's really not taking care of himself at all. Although I like the Eddie Vedder hair. Hot!

    So despite the blah trailer, I'll see this based on my love for Michael Clayton and 90s-style male hairdos. But let it be known that the presence of Affleck, were it not for Crowe's locks, would be a deal breaker for me.
  • JOC
    does anyone know what the theme music is that plays during the trailer?
  • priggy
    I am a big fan of the mini-series, i think i watched it 4 times in 4 days or something but looking at this trailer the film doesn't look like its going to excite me. I don't see the film working to be honest - it took 6 hours to tell the story originally, i don't think they'll be able to do it in 2.
    Russell Crowe didn't look good as Cal McAffrey although i do love John Simm and he is a fantastic actor as is David Morrissey who is being replaced by Ben Affleck and again don't think he'll give a better performance than David.
    I will watch it when it comes out but I reckon I'll much prefer the series.
blog comments powered by Disqus
gorilla nation

/Film

Copyright © 2009 /Film. Web design by Pro Blog Design. Logo Concept by: Illumination Ink

All names, trademarks and images are copyright their respective owners.