Apple Abruptly Cancels Premiere of Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson's 'The Banker' (UPDATE)
Over concerns surrounding the film.
UPDATE: Apple abruptly canceled the Los Angeles premiere of its original film The Banker, which was generating buzz as a possible Oscar contender. The film, which was an Apple TV+ original, was scheduled to be shown at the American Film Institute before Apple pulled it from release due to controversies surrounding Bernard Garrett Jr., a co-producer of the film and the son of the man at the core of its story. In a statement, the company said “Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps.”
The Banker showcases the true story of two African American men who hired a working-class white man to be the face of their successful real estate and banking operations in the ’60s. Apple continued in its statement they were “moved by the film’s entertaining and educational story about social change and financial literacy.”
“Last week some concerns surrounding the film were brought to our attention. We, along with the filmmakers, need some time to look into these matters and determine the best next steps,” said Apple after canceling the premiere of #TheBanker https://t.co/iypmnrLwEu
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) November 21, 2019
(ORIGINAL STORY November 3, 2019): Marvel Cinematic Universe alums Anthony Mackie and Samuel L. Jackson star in one of the first Apple TV+original films The Banker, where the two play real-life figures Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, respectively.
The film is based on a true story set in the 1960s, where the two men plan to build a real estate and banking empire for African Americans find the American Dream. However, in order to do it, they must enlist the help of a working-class white man named Matt Steiner (Nicholas Hoult) as the face of their operation. The two men teach Steiner how to socialize with other rich white men and create deals they wouldn’t be able to because of their race. The Banker will serve as Apple TV+’s first original film and Oscar contender, alongside other films like Hala and The Elephant Queen.
The Banker is slated to hit theaters on December 6, before its eventual Apple TV+ release in January.
In other entertainment news, Hideo Kojima says he’ll be making movies in the near future.
They built an empire like nobody’s business.
The Apple Original Film #TheBanker starring @SamuelLJackson and @AnthonyMackie comes to theaters on Dec 6. pic.twitter.com/ewkwsplIOK
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) November 4, 2019
