The Oscar-nominated Lee Daniels returns to the big screen this year to bring us The Butler, the biographical drama that sees Forest Whitaker take the lead as Cecil Gaines, based on the real life of Eugene Allen, who served in the White House for more than thirty years.
The first trailer was released last month, and gave us a very impressive look at the Oscar-buzzed film. That was followed this week by the first poster, giving us a look at Whitaker from behind. And now The Weinstein Company have released another new poster, this time showing Whitaker from the front standing tall.
THE BUTLER tells the story of a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family.
Whitaker takes the lead at the head of an exceptional cast, starring alongside Oprah Winfrey, John Cusack, Cuba Gooding, Jr., Jane Fonda, Terrence Howard, Lenny Kravitz, James Marsden, David Oyelowo, Melissa Leo, Vanessa Redgrave, Alan Rickman, Liev Schreiber, Robin Williams, Clarence Williams III, Jesse Williams, Minka Kelly, and Mariah Carey.
Daniels (Precious) is directing from a script penned by Danny Strong (Game Change, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay).
The Butler will be released in the US on August 16th, roughly two months earlier than expected. As of yet, there’s still no word on a UK release date. But with the awards buzz surrounding it, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing it a little later in the year.
