David Fincher’s Mank Gets Release Date, First Teaser

David Fincher will finally release a new film this December, just in time for award season.

Mank, starring Gary Oldman as the titular Herman Mankiewicz, will be released December 4th on Netflix, furthering Fincher’s relationship with the streaming giant. The first footage from the picture was released this morning, which tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Mankiewicz and Orson Welles over the screenwriting credits for Welles’ masterpiece, Citizen Kane. Tom Burke will portray Welles and, from the bits we hear in the trailer, got the famous Welles voicing and cadence down pretty well. Amanda Seyfried and Lily Collins also star, and the great Charles Dance will play the looming William Randolph Hearst.

Currently, the film is scheduled to have a limited release in theaters in November, but we will certainly keep on eye on how that plays out.

As for behind the camera credits, the film was shot by Mindhunter cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt, edited by frequent Fincher crutch Kirk Baxter, and scored — of course — by heavyweights Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. The composer credit will certainly be most interesting, since Atticus and Trent are usually in the modern synthesizer and drum machine realm with their scores, and this film takes place in the 1930/40’s. In theory, it could have the pair out of their comfort zone, or drive a certain modern/vintage fusion, which, in either case, is very exciting. Given the fact that the script was written by none other than Jack Fincher, David’s father, back in the ’90’s, we can assume this was a personal pet project for David.

Black and white photography is somewhat uncharted territory for most directors these days, but the initial footage we see in the teaser isn’t too much of a departure from Fincher’s usual muted tones and aesthetic, and it certainly feels like a Fincher film. If Netflix’s decision on a November theatrical/December streaming release date(s) are any indication as to how they feel about its quality, then we can expect a full awards campaign this season. And with many major releases being pushed to next year, it may finally be Fincher’s time at the Oscars.

This is the first feature film we’ll have from the director since 2014’s excellent Gone Girl. If the success of this film holds any weight for the future of the relationship between Fincher and Netflix, then we can only hope it does well for the streaming service.