Director Clint Eastwood, aged 94, did not attend the world premiere of his new film, “Juror No. 2”, during which the actors paid him a vibrant tribute to this “boss” of American cinema .
The feature film, which is released on Wednesday in France, is a gripping legal thriller, where a juror discovers that he could be linked in a very intimate way to the murder trial that he is asked to arbitrate.
“Juror No. 2” could be Clint Eastwood’s last film. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and JK Simmons, as well as Francesca Eastwood, the filmmaker’s daughter.
“It was very special to work with an icon like Clint Eastwood,” said Nicholas Hoult. “Obviously intimidating […]but he has a sense of humor and unfailing charm.”
The film received good reviews. The specialist site Deadline called it “Eastwood’s best film since ‘American Sniper'” and hailed it as “one of the most fascinating human dramas of his career.”
But Clint Eastwood was conspicuous by his absence at the film’s premiere at the annual AFI festival in Hollywood on Sunday evening.
A few days earlier, Variety magazine revealed that Warner Bros was going to “bury” the film “Juror No. 2”, by releasing it in barely fifty theaters, without planning a large promotional campaign.
Eastwood’s previous film, “Cry Macho”, also produced by Warner Bros, was a commercial failure.
The director’s admirers are speculating about a rift between Warner Bros and Clint Eastwood. Representatives for the studio and the filmmaker did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
“I know he is very sad not to be here tonight,” Mr. Hoult said, without speaking out.
The health of the nonagenarian is also the subject of speculation, especially since the death of his long-time companion, Christina Sandera, last July.
Clint Eastwood, however, seems to want to continue to expand his already well-stocked filmography. He has previously explained that he wants to tour as long as he finds projects that are “worth looking into.”
Born in 1930, the multiple Oscar-winning actor and director has made 11 films since he turned 80.
In addition to the Oscars for “Impitoyable” and “Million Dollar Baby,” he received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his entire career.
Actor Cedric Yarbrough told AFP that Clint Eastwood personally apologized during the filming of “Juror No. 2” to motorists who were delayed by a blocked road.
“It’s classy, it’s old Hollywood. This is what you want to see in your icons,” greeted the actor. “He’s the boss.”
