First Trailer for THE FOUNDER Starring Michael Keaton

Can Michael Keaton go three years in a row starring in three Best Picture nominees? Potentially even three Best Picture winners? It seems slight with his new film getting an August release, but if this first trailer for The Founder is any indication it looks as if Keaton and his crew are at least ready to compete. Telling the story of McDonald's founder, Ray Kroc, the film was written by Robert D. Siegel (The Wrestler, Big Fan) and is directed by John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side, Saving Mr. Banks) so it certainly has the credentials to go far, but only time will tell given Hancock's last effort seemed a shoo-in for many major awards, but was ultimately looked over. I can't help but feel The Founder is different though, and that the combination of story, social relevance, writer, director, and especially star will push this thing to become something more than another awards season offering, but possibly something of a cultural conversation piece. It is inevitable that the portrayal of Kroc as this charismatic, but sleazy businessman will serve as a commentary on the many alternative and ugly ways one can go about achieving the pureness of the American dream. What pushes this even further into potential awards season glory though, is the dynamite performance Keaton looks to be giving. There is no denying that the actor is in the midst of a very real resurgence with both Birdman and Spotlight winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards the past two years and with future prospects of being the new villain in a Marvel Studios produced Spider-Man film there is no stopping him. I still believe Keaton should have won for Best Actor for Birdman, but maybe this will be his year to claim that honor even if The Founder doesn't take home the big prize. Regardless of awards potential, this looks great and I can't wait to see if it delivers. The Founder also stars Nick Offerman, Linda Cardellini, Laura Dern, BJ Novak, John Caroll Lynch, Patrick Wilson, and opens on August 5th, 2016.



Synopsis: Written by Robert Siegel (BIG FAN), THE FOUNDER is a drama that tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.