Alejandro G. Iñárritu put all his actors through the ringer for The Revenant, but perhaps none moreso than his leading man, Leonardo DiCaprio. The Oscar hopeful plays Hugo Glass, a frontiersman and noted explorer, who experiences betrayal from his closest comrades that leaves him on the brink of death. That type of story requires a particular committed performance and DiCaprio’s turn has received a range of appraisals. One thing’s for certain, he put aside his personal beliefs to ensure what we see onscreen is what actually took place (the vegetarian actor ate raw bison liver).
“I just want to set the record straight,” DiCaprio told Variety, defending the methods of his director in a recent interview, “There’s been a lot said about the movie and the difficulties making it, and how meticulous Alejandro is with his vision. But to me, that’s the shit that should be praised. I don’t want to work with somebody who isn’t thinking of every possible aspect of what’s up on the screen. I think there’s a hunger for audiences to see something completely extreme and difficult.”
You can catch a glimpse of the extreme and difficult circumstances in the first clip from the movie above. The one-minute preview showcases a moment when Glass’ survival instincts kick in, and he saddles up.
Co-starring Tom Hardy, Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter, The Revenant rolls into select theaters nationwide on December 25, followed by a widespread release in the new year.
Inspired by true events, THE REVENANT is an immersive and visceral cinematic experience capturing one man’s epic adventure of survival and the extraordinary power of the human spirit. In an expedition of the uncharted American wilderness, legendary explorer Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) is brutally attacked by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team.
In a quest to survive, Glass endures unimaginable grief as well as the betrayal of his confidant John Fitzgerald (Tom Hardy). Guided by sheer will and the love of his family, Glass must navigate a vicious winter in a relentless pursuit to live and find redemption. THE REVENANT is directed and co-written by renowned filmmaker, Academy Award® winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu (Birdman, Babel).
