While she's enjoyed consistent work for years, it's fair to say that Jean Smart is having a moment, between her acclaimed performances in Watchmen and, more recently, Mare Of Easttown and Hacks. She represents the latest attempt by Damien Chazelle to prove he can stuff his latest film with more talent than even Knives Out 2.
That film – Babylon – currently boasts (deep breath as ever) Margot Robbie, Brad Pitt, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, Katherine Waterston, Max Minghella, Lukas Haas, Flea, Rory Scovel, Samara Weaving, Eric Roberts, PJ Byrne, Damon Gupton, Olivia Wilde, Spike Jonze, Phoebe Tonkin and Tobey Maguire (who is also one of the producers).
Chazelle wrote and is now shooting this latest film, which is set in the late 1920s as Hollywood transitioned from the silent era to the talkies, and how that affects many people in the industry for good and ill. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smart will be a journalist/critic whose words can make or break careers.
The film will have a limited early run in Stateside cinemas starting Christmas Day 2022 to qualify for awards, before expanding on 6 January, which is also when UK audiences can expect to see it.