Matt Damon And John Krasinski’s Promised Land Gets Oscar Qualifying Release

Entertainment Weekly reports that the Gus Van Sant-directed Promised Land will be released December 28th, a date that qualifies the film for awards consideration.

The script was written by Matt Damon and John Krasinski, who also star in the film. On screen alongside that duo will be Frances McDormand, Rosemarie DeWitt, Hal Holbrook, Scoot McNairy, and Titus Welliver. Not a bad cast, eh?

Promised Land was originally supposed to be Damon’s directorial debut, but due to a busy schedule he passed the reins along to Van Sant.

Wait a second, this sounds awfully familiar… Damon and another actor co-writing a script to be directed by Van Sant? That’s right, it’s the same magic formula that led to a best original screenplay Oscar for Damon and co-scribe Ben Affleck, and one of the best films of the ’90s. For good measure, the film also has Chris Moore who, you guessed it, produced Good Will Hunting.

I was originally a bit disappointed that Damon wouldn’t be directing, but honestly, the film is probably better having Van Sant behind the camera. I’m sure when Damon does make his debut it’ll be great, but going with a proven option such as Van Sant means the film will surely be excellent.

It’s a bit surprising that there hasn’t been more promotion for this film, especially with December only four months away, but I’m sure now that a date has been finalized we’ll at least get a trailer in the near future.

Promised Land deals with some big social and political issues, and with this all-star cast, the December release date could be perfect for a few more Oscars to head Damon’s way.

Check out the official synopsis below and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Damon plays Steve Butler, a corporate salesman who arrives in a rural town with his sales partner, Sue Thomason (McDormand). With the town having been hit hard by the economic decline of recent years, the two outsiders see the local citizens as likely to accept their company’s offer, for drilling rights to their properties, as much-needed relief. What seems like an easy job for the duo becomes complicated by the objection of a respected schoolteacher (Holbrook) with support from a grassroots campaign led by another man (Krasinski) who counters Steve both personally and professionally.