For fans of Hollywood's Golden Age, **Trumbo **should hold many delights. The biopic of the famed screenwriter will shine some light on the darker corners of the Communist witchhunt and in so doing introduce luminaries like Edward G. Robinson, Kirk Douglas and John Wayne. Dalton Trumbo himself is played by Bryan Cranston, here looking suitably learned in a first-look still from the film. Trumbo, the writer of **Spartacus **and Roman Holiday, among other classics, was one of those blacklisted for having ties with the Communist party in 1947. Refusing to testify to the House Un-American Activities Committee (a kind of HYDRA for Senator Joseph McCarthy and his closest pals), he was jettisoned from Hollywood's inner circle and left having to use a pseudonym on his screenplays.
**Trumbo **will major on the story behind **Spartacus **in 1960 and, in particular, the writer's rapport with Kirk Douglas (The Hobbit's Dean O'Gorman). The movie star's great clout enabled Trumbo to hire his choice of writer when few others wanted to associate themselves with him.
Joining Cranston on this one is Diane Lane as his wife, Cleo, with Elle Fanning as his daughter. Michael Stuhlbarg plays Edward G. Robinson and David James Elliott gets his Duke on as John Wayne. Jay 'Meet The Parents' Roach is behind the camera on this in New Orleans.