Clint Eastwood’s latest thriller, Juror No. 2, made its debut at the AFI Fest on October 27, but the 94-year-old filmmaker was noticeably absent. Eastwood skipped the world premiere amid reports suggesting that Warner Bros. is giving the film a limited release, despite strong early reviews. While stars Toni Collette and Nicholas Hoult were present at the screening, the absence of the legendary director left some fans disappointed. AFI president Bob Gazzale acknowledged Eastwood’s absence, but reassured the audience that the team was there to honor his work.
A Plot Twist with Positive Reviews
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Juror No. 2 has been largely praised by critics. IndieWire even called it “one of the best studio films of 2024.” The legal thriller centers on Justin Kemp (Hoult), a family man who becomes a juror in a murder trial. As the trial unfolds, Kemp realizes he knows something crucial about the night the victim died, and must decide whether to reveal his knowledge, risking his moral integrity.
What’s Going on with the Film’s Release?
There’s a twist to the movie’s release strategy, which has raised eyebrows. According to a Variety report, Juror No. 2 will be shown in fewer than 50 theaters starting November 1. There’s no indication that the film will expand to a wider release, and there’s no confirmed date for when it will be available on demand or on the studio’s streaming service, Max. Despite the film’s critical success, the limited release seems puzzling. Yahoo Entertainment reached out to Warner Bros. for comment, but they didn’t respond.
Critical Acclaim for ‘Juror No. 2’
The film’s limited release is even more perplexing given the positive reception from critics. Deadline called Eastwood’s direction “riveting,” praising his skill as a filmmaker despite his age. IndieWire lauded the movie as a “throwback character study,” evoking the kind of films that defined Warner Bros. for decades. Variety also recognized it as an “unlikely but engaging courtroom drama,” while The Hollywood Reporter applauded the acting and the film’s “narrative twists.”
Eastwood’s Relationship with Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. may be hesitant about the film’s release due to the reception of Eastwood’s previous project, Cry Macho, which flopped at the box office in 2021. The film, which Eastwood both directed and starred in, made only $16 million worldwide against a production budget that was twice as much. This underperformance prompted a reevaluation by Warner Bros., especially after David Zaslav took over as CEO in 2022. According to reports, Zaslav questioned executives about why the studio backed the film in the first place, despite concerns about its potential success.
A Cast That Admires Eastwood
Even without Eastwood at the AFI Fest, the film’s cast took the opportunity to praise him. Toni Collette spoke highly of Eastwood as a director, calling him a “truly good, solid human being,” while Nicholas Hoult reflected on how special it was to work with the legendary filmmaker. Hoult described Eastwood as “cinema in many ways” and emphasized how Eastwood’s approach to filmmaking is rooted in trust, both in his collaborators and his audience.
With positive reviews and a talented cast, it’s hard to understand why Juror No. 2 isn’t receiving a wider release. The film may still surprise audiences, but for now, it appears that Warner Bros. is keeping it under wraps, despite its potential.