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Tidbits: Trailer For Anna Karenina Arrives, Nicolas Winding Refn Goes To The Small Screen, And More

Who doesn’t love a good period costume drama? And who is better at them nowadays than one director Joe Wright.

Following the pair of superb dramas Pride And Prejudice and Atonement, Wright left the world of costumes and poofy wigs to helm such varied projects as The Soloist and Hanna. Well, it’s about time he returns, and thankfully, come November 9, we’ll have Wright back in his comfort zone with his adaptation of the beloved story, ‘Anna Karenina.’ Can’t wait until then, however? Well, thanks to MSN, a brand new trailer has hit for the film today, and it looks superb.

I’m am admittedly a huge fan of Wright and his work, and this trailer looks like just more of what he’s best at, gaudy, lavish and luscious filmmaking. The film stars Aaron Johnson and Keira Knightley, along with Jude Law, Kelly Macdonald and Olivia Williams, and is based on the beloved Tolstoy novel. Personally, I think this trailer looks superb, the cast looks top notch, and it will be a welcome change of pace for Wright, who for all intents and purposes, will be returning to his roots for this sucker. (Sidenote: There is a Jules Duvivier-directed adaptation of the novel on Criterion’s Hulu page).

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yUo9YbuinI&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]

In other news, Deadline reports that Gaumont and Martha De Laurentiis will be bringing Barbarella to the small screen, but this time, with the help of one Nicolas Winding Refn. Refn will direct the pilot, and will produce the show. Personally, while I didn’t adore Drive as much as the rest of the world (it’s great, but it ranks near the bottom of Refn’s overall body of work), I can’t wait to see what he does here. He hasn’t really had a main female protagonist (even Mulligan in Drive was slightly undersold), so while his seemingly deep rooted interest in the male experience (particularly the male experience towards violence) won’t be seen much here, it will be interesting to see him take the perspective of a female protagonist. He’s always been interested in doing something like Wonder Woman, so hopefully this will be able to live up to its great potential.

Finally, some new trailers have hit for the upcoming Pixar film, Monsters University, and the film simply looks fantastic. Not much to be said here, as it’s Pixar, so hopes are automatically high, but the sequel definitely looks like a welcome project.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVLW3VL00Ps&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0] [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sED6FRXIHJc&version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0]
Source MSN / Deadline / EW

Joshua Brunsting

Josh is a critic, a member of the Online Film Critics Society, a wrestling nerd, a hip-hop head, a father, a cinephile and a man looking to make his stamp on the world, one word at a time.