Harvey Weinstein offered a peek at Quentin Tarantino's film "The Hateful Eight" at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday as the movie mogul previewed the Weinstein Co.'s upcoming slate.
The annual presentation to media and industry members featured a handful of films that will premiere at Cannes in the coming days: Todd Haynes' 1950s drama "Carol" and a "Macbeth" adaption with Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard. One of the Cannes festival jury members, Jake Gyllenhaal, was also on hand to preview his boxing drama with director Antoine Fuqua: "Southpaw."
But probably the most anticipated, previously unseen film among the Weinstein Co.'s offerings was a two-minute trailer of Tarantino's latest. In the footage, the snowy, gun-blazing Western evoked Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs" in its gathering of a group of tough characters. Its large cast includes a number of familiar Tarantino players: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Tim Roth and Michael Madsen.
The film, due out later this year, was shot in 70mm. After a version of the script leaked online last year, Tarantino initially swore he'd never make it and filed a lawsuit against Gawker Media. He later withdrew the lawsuit.
It's Tarantino's eighth film with Weinstein, who called it "the best marriage I've had." He asked reporters not to tell that quip to his wife, Georgina Chapman.
Weinstein also confirmed reports that his company will distribute "Hands of Steel," which stars Edgar Ramirez as boxer Roberto Duran and Robert De Niro as his trainer, Ray Arcel. Weinstein said that film will open next April or May.
