UPDATE: During my interview with Chris Hemsworth, he mentioned that both Russell Crowe and Dakota Fanning were going to both be in Bad Times At The El Royale. It turns out, however, that Hemsworth either misspoke , as while Crowe is in the film, Fanning is not. Instead, it's Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson that will be in the movie. The article, as originally published, remains below.
Drew Goddard made an incredible splash when he made his directorial debut with The Cabin In The Woods -- but we've been patiently waiting for his sophomore effort ever since. He's certainly done some amazing work since 2012 (not limited to the Oscar nominated script for The Martian, creating the Marvel/Netflix's Daredevil series, and producing/helming episodes of The Good Place), but we've been patiently waiting for him to direct a second feature. That will finally come together this year with Bad Times At The El Royale, and not only will the movie star Chris Hemsworth and Jeff Bridges, as previously announced, but also Russell Crowe and Dakota Fanning.
I sat down with Chris Hemsworth this past weekend during the Los Angeles press day for his upcoming film, 12 Strong, and it was during our conversation that his reunion with Drew Goddard came up (Hemsworth having starred in Cabin In The Woods). Talking about the ensemble that the project is bringing together -- including himself, Jeff Bridges, and Pacific Rim Uprising actress Cailee Spaeny -- the Australian actor also confirmed two previously unannounced additions. Hemsworth didn't provide any details regarding the roles that Russell Crowe and Dakota Fanning will be playing, but just their established talent alone makes them exciting additions.
News about Bad Times At The El Royale broke back in August of last year, when Chris Hemsworth and Jeff Bridges were signed on as principals. Described by Hemsworth as a "'60s noir thriller," the official line on the story has it centering on a group of strangers who find their fates intertwine at a Lake Tahoe hotel. Presumably all of the names announced thus far are part of that grouping, but we'll just have to wait and find out exactly is driving everyone when more details about the film become available.
For his part, Chris Hemsworth told me that didn't hesitate when he was offered the chance to work with Drew Goddard again. The star is just coming off an incredibly busy streak that saw him bounce from the productions of Thor: Ragnarok to 12 Strong to The Avengers: Infinity War/Avengers 4 (not to mention press cycles for the first two), but evidently crazy exhaustion was no match for his excitement. Speaking about Bad Times At The El Royale, Hemsworth explained,
I was desperately wanting to work with him again after [Cabin in the Woods], and almost didn't even read the script. I was like, 'I'm in, whatever it is! Let's go, buddy'... When something is good enough it re-inspires you, and reinvigorates you.
Based on the description, Bad Times At The El Royale sounds like it is going to be a very tight movie scale-wise -- which is good, because it looks like it will be coming together on a fast schedule. During our interview, Chris Hemsworth mentioned that production will be stretching from March to April, and 20th Century Fox is scheduled to have it in theaters on October 5th of this year. That leaves about five months for the movie to move through both production and post-production, which isn't a whole lot of time... but hopefully it's all the time that it needs.
We'll keep you updated about the latest news regarding Bad Times At The El Royale -- and be sure to not only stay tuned for more from my interview with Chris Hemsworth, but also for his new based-on-a-true-story war film 12 Strong, which will be in theaters January 19th.
