Latest ‘Mank’ Trailer Doubles Down on Netflix’s Promise of a Thrilling Silver Screen Tribute
THE TWO-AND-A-HALF MINUTE TRAILER PROVIDES INCREASED FOCUS ON GARY OLDMAN’S INTENSE PERFORMANCE AS HERMAN MANKIEWICZ.
Just two weeks after Netflix revealed their first teaser for “Mank”, David Fincher’s upcoming black-and-white epic starring Gary Oldman as legendary screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, the streaming service released a full trailer for the film Wednesday. “Mank” depicts Mankiewicz in, approximately, the late 1930s into the early 1940s as he interacts and clashes with Orson Welles (Tom Burke) while they are in the process of creating Welles’ masterpiece “Citizen Kane”.
The new trailer includes a majority of the footage shown in the first teaser, while giving audiences a more in-depth peek into Oldman’s committed portrayal of the silver screen era icon. The trailer explores Mankiewicz’ eccentric personality, his public struggles with alcoholism, his interactions with other cinematic giants such as Louis B. Mayer (Arliss Howard), David O. Selznick (Toby Leonard Moore), and his brother, the legendary director and screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz (Tom Pelphrey). The trailer also hints at Mankiewicz’ and Welles’ feud with publishing juggernaut William Randolph Hearst (Charles Dance) when it becomes apparent that “Citizen Kane” is going to lampoon the latter.
Much like the teaser, this trailer is also crafted in a way that emulates trailers of the era, including that of “Citizen Kane” itself; showcasing the film’s gorgeous black-and-white cinematography, with simulated film grain, old-school studio and union logos, and titles that wipe onto and off of the screen. Because of these efforts, along with hints of Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ period-accurate score, viewers are already given an immersive experience with “Mank” before they’ve even seen the film.
“Mank”’s pending release also represents the fulfillment of a decades-long dream for David Fincher; the screenplay was written by his father Jack in the 1990s, but failed to secure a production at the time due to the former’s insistence that the film be shot in black-and-white. Although Jack Fincher passed away in 2003, his son had never abandoned the possibility of making the project, and the passion behind it comes through in this trailer just as strongly as its authentic cinematography and energetic lead performance.
Also starring in “Mank” are Amanda Seyfried, Lily Collins, and Tuppence Middleton. Fincher once again works with editor Kirk Baxter (“The Social Network”, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), and “Mindhunter” cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt. The film is also credited to producers Ceán Chaffin, Douglas Urbanski, and Eric Roth.
“Mank” will have a limited theatrical release in November before airing on Netflix starting December 4. Be sure to check out the full trailer by clicking below.