Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu: Shooting of the New Film Begins Next Month

The plot sounds pretty cryptic

By Jonas Reichel on

The announcement that director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu has a new film in the pipeline is sure to have got some film fans excited. Now, however, things are getting more concrete, as filming is due to start next month.

And that's not all: according to Production Weekly, Iñárritu will once again be teaming up with cinematographer Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki. The latter was already involved in "Birdman" and "The Revenant" and was awarded an Oscar for both films. The last major film production in which Lubezki was involved was David O. Russell's "Amsterdam" in 2021.

It also remains exciting to see how Lubezki and Iñárritu will bring Hollywood icon Tom Cruise into the spotlight. He leads an impressive cast that includes Sandra Hüller, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons and John Goodman. The plot of the as yet untitled film sounds rather cryptic: it revolves around the most powerful man in the world, who embarks on a desperate mission. He wants to prove that he is the savior of mankind before the catastrophe he has unleashed destroys everything. A speedy production would make a theatrical release possible next year. We are looking forward to it!

Alejandro González Iñárritu – One of Hollywood's Best Directors

Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu, one of the most influential directors of our time, has shaped modern cinema with his unique cinematic language. Born in Mexico City in 1963, the filmmaker began his career in radio and television production before entering the world of film in the late 1990s. His stories, which often explore dark, complex themes of loss, violence, love and guilt, have made him internationally renowned. Iñárritu's distinctive style is characterized by a mixture of raw intensity, emotional depth and innovative visual techniques.

The Early Years and the Breakthrough With "Amores Perros"

Iñárritu's directorial debut "Amores Perros" (2000) brought him worldwide recognition and was the first movie in the so-called "Death Trilogy". This three-part film cycle consists of "Amores Perros", "21 Grams" and "Babel", in which Iñárritu explores profound themes such as fate and the transience of life. "Amores Perros" consists of three interwoven stories set in Mexico City and shows the dark, multifaceted lives of the protagonists from different social classes. The movie impressed critics and viewers alike with its shocking portrayal of violence and hopelessness and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2001. Iñárritu thus laid the foundation for his international success.

"21 Grams" and "Babel": The Death Trilogy

Iñárritu continued his exploration of human tragedy with "21 Grams" (2003). The film, starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio del Toro, deals with the themes of atonement and forgiveness and tells the story in an unconventional, fragmented style. The film's non-chronological narrative structure emphasizes the emotional turmoil of the characters. This unique narrative style became one of Iñárritu's trademarks and demonstrated his ability to experiment with traditional cinematic techniques.

The conclusion of the trilogy came in 2006 with "Babel". Shot internationally, the movie is set in four different countries and connects the stories of people who are linked by a tragic event. "Babel" is a haunting reflection on the fragility of human life and the gap between different cultures and languages. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Film - Drama and earned Iñárritu the Director's Prize at the Cannes Film Festival. "Babel" definitively established him as a leading international director and earned him his first Oscar nomination in the "Best Director" category.

"Biutiful": A Deeply Moving Character Drama

After the Death trilogy, Iñárritu made "Biutiful" (2010), in which Javier Bardem plays a failed man with cancer who lives in Barcelona and desperately tries to provide for his family. "Biutiful" is characterized by its dark aesthetic and its unsparing portrayal of life on the margins of society. The film demonstrates Iñárritu's mastery in the staging of human suffering and his ability to create deeply emotional characters. Bardem's performance was widely praised and earned him an Oscar nomination. "Biutiful" was also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, reinforcing Iñárritu's reputation as a director who is not afraid to tackle difficult and controversial subjects.

"Birdman": The Leap to Hollywood and Playing With Reality

With "Birdman" (2014), Iñárritu made a daring switch to black humor and satire. The movie tells the story of a former superhero actor, played by Michael Keaton, who struggles with his career and his life. "Birdman" is characterized by its unique staging, in which the film appears to be one continuous shot. Emmanuel Lubezki's virtuoso cinematography and the precise planning of each scene created a sense of uninterrupted flow that perfectly matched the nervous, psychological state of the main character.

"Birdman" won numerous awards, including the Oscar for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay. The success of this movie marked a high point in Iñárritu's career and underlined his innovative strength and his ability to transcend conventional narrative techniques. With "Birdman", he finally established himself as one of the most visionary filmmakers of our time.

"The Revenant": An Epic Survival Drama and More Oscar Wins

Following the success of "Birdman", Iñárritu outdid himself with "The Revenant" (2015), an intense survival drama based on the true story of trapper Hugh Glass. Set in the snowy mountains of North America, the film tells the story of Glass, who struggles to survive after being attacked by a bear and left behind by his companions. Leonardo DiCaprio played the lead role and was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance.

"The Revenant" was not only a physically demanding film for the actors, but also a masterpiece of camera work. Emmanuel Lubezki, who had already worked with Iñárritu on "Birdman", won his third Oscar in a row for his work on this film. The use of natural light and the breathtaking landscape shots made "The Revenant" a visual experience that pushed the boundaries of cinema even further. Iñárritu again won the Oscar for Best Director, making him the third director in history to win this award two years in a row.

Image of THE REVENANT Official Trailer (2016)

"Bardo: A Look Back and the Way Forward

In 2022, Iñárritu returned to the cinema with "Bardo, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths". The film, which is partly autobiographical, is a reflection on identity, home and Mexican culture. With a mixture of surreal images and complex themes, "Bardo" goes beyond narrative storytelling and explores the psychological and emotional challenges of a director in exile.