TIFF 2021: Star-Studded Uncertainties and Comebacks Await
As the entertainment world braces itself for another star-studded event, Hollywood Insider gets the scoop on who's in, who's out, and who's still flip-flopping for the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), set to kick off on September 7. Some of the A list attendees getting the fans excited include Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson, both starring in 'Daddio', as well as Finn Wolfhard and his co-stars in 'Hell Of A Summer'.
Adding to the line-up, Viggo Mortensen for 'The Dead Don’t Hurt', and Maya Hawke and Laura Linney for 'Wildcat' are confirmed attendees. We can also expect appearances from Nicolas Cage for A24’s 'Dream Scenario' and Jessica Chastain for Michel Franco’s 'Memory', both movies having secured interim agreements.
Notwithstanding the ripples felt due to the strikes, SAG-AFTRA leadership has urged talent to promote independent movies at the festival should their projects secure interim agreements. Nonetheless, the industry has seen a fair share of nail-biting behind the scenes with decisions only starting to firm up in recent days.
Meanwhile, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Keaton, and Kate Winslet are among the stars whose attendance is not yet confirmed. The same can be said for Bobby Cannavale who stars in 'Ezra'. Also notably absent from the festival will be Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Annette Bening, Glen Powell, and Chris Pine, while Cate Blanchett and Anna Kendrick, despite their indie movies featuring in the festival, aren’t expected to attend.
Furthermore, though some casts of studio movies won’t decorate the TIFF red carpet, a number of directors will be in attendance, including, Taika Waititi, Craig Gillespie, David Yates, George C. Wolfe, John Carney, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, and Jimmy Chin, to name a few.
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Witty side winks on, and here's hoping TIFF 2021 brings enough drama to compensate for last year's Zoom gone wild edition. If only the entertainment industry could strike an interim agreement with the unpredictable curve-balls life throws. Although we regret certain absences like Pacino and De Niro, we respect the occasional dash for peace and quiet.
Oh, the joys of leaving us second-guessing. Will De Niro surprise everyone by showing up for a midnight screening in a trench coat? Will Cate Blanchett suddenly appear on a Skype screen, sipping tea and dispensing film wisdom? We live for these delightful ambiguities.
Speaking of ambiguity, one can't help but reflect on the grey spot many industry professionals find themselves in amidst the ongoing strikes. Bless those interim agreements, acting like tiny lifebuoys in an ocean, keeping our beloved artists afloat and, more importantly, visible on our festival screens.
Let's call this year's TIFF the festival of comebacks and interim triumphs. Where uncertainty and anticipation are the unsung heroes creatively fueling the drama offscreen, as well as on. The beauty of TIFF, after all, is the perfect blend of glamour-meets-sophistication, uncompromising even amidst a strike. Here's to a sparkling display of talent, resilience, and perhaps a dash of unexpected surprises at TIFF 2021.
Who's got popcorn?
