Nothing says Guaranteed Oscar Nominee like an A-list cast putting themselves through production hell (and the odd carcass) in the name of their craft. And if that isn’t enough, you might point towards a practically wordless trailer that promotes a truly stunning atmosphere. Now Alejandro Gonázlez Iñárritu’s The Revenant has a pair of striking posters to go with its already heavyweight level pre-release platform.
Having previously issued a poster bereft of everything apart from a frozen landscape image and a captioned title, 20th Century Fox has now unveiled two new glossy sheets bearing the grizzled expressions of stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy. Though a great poster isn’t always a calling card for a great film, some effort on the artistic front can go quite a long way: it fuels excitement, funds intrigue, and at worst is nice to gawk at.
Posters for Iñárritu’s films often hone in on the faces of individuals, indicting complexity and some sort of purpose. That makes sense given the writer-director has a history of working with layered characters who exist in aggravating circumstances — see Birdman’s Riggan Thomson or anybody in Babel — and by the looks of things that isn’t going to change when The Revenant gallops into town.
DiCaprio plays Hugh Glass, a 19th century fur trapper who seeks revenge having been left for dead by those in his company, one of whom is Hardy. The posters separate the acting duo and show them staring menacingly into the distance, their faces carpeted by hair and snow. Perhaps they are staring at each other. Luminous orange sparks can be seen permeating the wintry environment, and you can be sure there’ll be more of those flying when the two hunters inevitably clash.
Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina, Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens) and Will Poulter (The Maze Runner) are also involved, and Birdman cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki is back behind the camera. Scenes were filmed in various locations around Canada and in southern Argentina.
Only time knows whether or not Iñárritu and co. will be in the Oscar mix come February next year (let’s hope they are for DiCaprio’s sake) but the marketing for The Revenant would certainly have you believe big and compelling things are on the icy horizon.
The Revenant is out Christmas Day in the US and January 15th in the UK.
Images credit: IMP Awards
Images copyright (©): 20th Century Fox
Consumed By Film 
I am so excited for this I actually went and bought the book it is based on off eBay! Those posters all look great, thanks for sharing mate. Hopefully I won’t have to wait till March next year to see this, damn staggered release dates =/ hmph!
Me too! I’ll probably end up reading the book after the film. Ah now way, do you guys need to wait until March? That sort of thing does my head in.
Well Birdman didn’t come out here until 2015, Inherent Vice didn’t come here till march 2015, so… =/
Same for us lot. It’s really quite annoying. Fairly certain Still Alice didn’t come out over here until after the Oscars earlier this year, which bewildered me.
It is especially frustrating atm, seeing all these posts about the new Bond movie. Even that one doesn’t come out here til the 12th. I don’t understand why there has to be a wait like that when it is such a big movie.
Where are you located?
Jeez, that is odd. I understand it being released a wee bit earlier in the UK because it’s such British centrepiece, but for you guys to get it that late is crazy. I’m in Scotland!
Yeah I’ll never understand how movie releases work for different countries. I shouldn’t complain really though, I’m sure there are other countries who have it much worse off
I can’t wait! This is probably my most anticipated film of the year.
Always love the winter season — tends to be a cinematic goldmine!
Adam, you are so right. It’s such a desert from Aug-Nov. And the same for February-May.
With the latest Star Wars character posters I’m seeing a “close-up on face” trend! This film looks good though.
Ha, very true. Must be something in the water over in Hollywoodland.
With the latest Star Wars character posters I’m seeing a “close-up on face” trend! This film looks good though…