LBJ (film)

LBJ is an upcoming 2017 American political drama film directed by Rob Reiner and written by Joey Hartstone. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Richard Jenkins, Bill Pullman, Kim Allen, Michael Stahl-David, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeffrey Donovan, Doug McKeon, and Michael Mosley. Filming began on September 21, 2015 in New Orleans. It was screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. On October 12, 2016 at the 27th edition of the New Orleans Film Festival, Rob Reiner accepted the inaugural Career Achievement Award from LBJ lead actor Woody Harrelson. LBJ made a second film festival showing in less than a month. This film is still searching for a major distributor for a 2017 release date.

The story centers around the political upheaval that Vice President Johnson faced when he was thrust into the presidency at the hands of an assassin’s bullet in November 1963. With political battles on both sides of the aisle, Johnson works to heal a nation and secure his presidency by passing Kennedy’s historic Civil Rights Act. His early years are also chronicled.

A political-historical drama LBJ, written by Joey Hartstone, appeared on the winners of 2014 un-produced Black List screenplays. On June 16, 2015, Woody Harrelson signed on to play the lead role of 36th President Lyndon B. Johnson while Rob Reiner also signed on to direct the film. The film was produced by Acacia Entertainment, Savvy Media Holdings, Castle Rock Entertainment, and Star Thrower Entertainment, and financed by Acacia, Savvy Media, Parkside Pictures and ITS Capital. Producers on the film are Matthew George, Reiner, Liz Glotzer, Tim and Trevor White.