Apple Original Films’Blitz,the highly anticipated World War II drama film from directorSteve McQueen,is already generating awards buzz months before its release in theaters, and ahead of the film’s world premiere at the BFI London Film Festival, the festival has provided a first look at the project. The glimpse into the film teases a shot ofBlitz’sstar, Academy Award nomineeSaoirse Ronan,as well as newcomerElliott Heffernan.
The first look was teased on theBFI’s official social media accounts, which also announced that the film will serve as the festival’s opening night gala feature on October 9. The first images show off Ronan in an ominous state, while Heffernan can be seen gazing into the distance while sheltering in what appears to be part of the London Underground. This certainly seems to fit with the plot of the film, asBlitzfollows nine-year-old George (Heffernan) who lives in London during World War II. When the bombs start falling on the city during The Blitz, George is sent to safety in the English countryside byhis mother Rita (Ronan). As the Germans continue to drop bombs on the British capital city, George finds himself in “immense peril” while a distraught Rita searches for her missing child. The film also starsErin Kellyman, Paul Weller, Stephen Graham, Harris Dickinson, Leigh Gill,and more.
McQueen, best known for directing the Best Picture-winning feature12 Years a Slavein 2013, directsBlitzfrom a self-written screenplay. McQueen also produces the film for his Lammas Park banner alongsideTim BevanandEric Fellnerfor Working Title Films, andArnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan,andMichael Schaeferfor New Regency. A team-up with the latter is unsurprising, as McQueen has a first-look deal with New Regency and previously collaborated with the company on12 Years a Slave.
Ronan Is Making a Big Comeback
Blitzwill be the latest in a long line of high-profile films for Ronan, who has cemented herself as one of the most in-demand Hollywood stars of her time. Though her career has cooled off in recent years, Ronan has made a name for herself with a string of successes in projects likeAtonement, The Lovely Bones,andThe Grand Budapest Hotel.
Ronan’s role as an Irish immigrant in 2015’sBrooklyngarnered critical acclaim and led to Ronan earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. This wasn’t her first Oscar nod, though, as she earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actress forAtonement.She is the second-youngest person to earn four Oscar nominations, doing so in 2020 at the age of 25. Ronan was recently seen in the filmThe Outrunand starred in the sci-fi filmFoein 2023. FollowingBlitz,Ronan will star in the comedy filmBad Apples,which does not currently have a release date.
Blitzwill be released in select theaters on November 1 before streaming on Apple TV+ on November 22.
