Last November, Focus Features announced that they’d acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Edward Berger’s “Conclave”. They have now dated it for a November 1, 2024 theatrical launch. That’s right in the thick of awards season releases.
The film will tackle the papal conclave that elects Popes for the Catholic Church, but is also being dubbed a “thriller”. Here’s the official synopsis:
“Conclave” follows the secretive process of promoting a new Pope, led by Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) in the Vatican. However, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy as the other cardinals forge factions and rivalries to serve their own ambitions. As ambitions, divisions, and scandals start to boil over and the political machinations inside the Vatican intensify, Lawrence realizes that the departed Pope had kept a secret from them that he must uncover before a new Pope is chosen.”
Edward Berger’s “All Quiet on the Western Front” was well-liked by the Academy, it garnered nine Oscar nominations and won four trophies, including Best International Film. His follow-up was bound to get some buzz, and there have been rumors, via Variety, that “Conclave” might even show up at Cannes — although, I highly doubt that will happen.
The “Conclave” cast includes the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. Berger directs from a script written by Peter Straughan as an adaptation of Robert Harris’ bestselling novel of the same name.
Production on the film wrapped in March of 2023 at Rome’s Cinecittà. I would expect this to premiere at Telluride and/or TIFF in the fall.