The highly anticipated drama Magazine Dreams, which premiered at Sundance and sparked Oscar buzz for Jonathan Majors’ powerful performance as a troubled aspiring bodybuilder, is finally set to make its way to theaters after being shelved for some time.
Briarcliff Entertainment has secured the domestic distribution rights for the film, with plans for a release in the first quarter of 2025. This marks the second high-profile acquisition for Tom Ortenberg’s Briarcliff, following the controversial Donald Trump-Roy Cohn coming-of-age drama The Apprentice.
Magazine Dreams follows Killian Maddox, portrayed by Majors, as he grapples with his quest for fame amid personal struggles and a chaotic life. The film delves into themes of celebrity and violence, depicting Maddox’s relentless pursuit of stardom despite warnings from medical professionals about the physical toll his training and steroid use are taking on his body. The film also stars Taylour Paige, Harrison Page, Haley Bennett, and Harriet Sansom Harris, as well as four-time Mr. Universe Mike O’Hearn.
Emerging from Sundance with high expectations, the film marks the directorial debut of Elijah Bynum and showcases Majors’ astonishing transformation. To embody Killian, Majors consumed a staggering 6,100 calories daily and trained six days a week for four months. His performance captures the character’s dark moods and challenges in forming human connections, driven by an obsession with a champion bodybuilder.
Majors, who followed Magazine Dreams with a role in Creed III, was also slated to be the central villain in the upcoming Avengers films, suggesting a career trajectory reminiscent of Russell Crowe’s rise after L.A. Confidential. The film received the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Creative Vision at Sundance and boasts an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, further establishing it as a critical success.
However, the film’s future was jeopardized when Majors faced legal issues stemming from an assault charge involving his ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. After being found guilty of two misdemeanor counts of assault and harassment, Magazine Dreams faced delays, and Searchlight Pictures ultimately dropped it from their lineup.
“Magazine Dreams is a visceral experience that challenges perceptions of ambition and identity,” Ortenberg emphasized in a statement to Deadline. “Elijah’s film made a well-deserved splash at Sundance, and Briarcliff is eager to share this compelling story with audiences nationwide in early 2025.”
The film’s production team includes Jennifer Fox, Dan Gilroy, Jeffrey Soros, and Simon Horsman, with Majors serving as an executive producer through his company, Tall Street Productions. Fox expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Ortenberg again, referencing their successful partnership on Nightcrawler.
Soros added, “Tom has made a career of championing compelling, boundary-pushing films and filmmakers that stand the test of time. We couldn’t have stronger partners to release Magazine Dreams than him and the great team at Briarcliff.”
The distribution deal was negotiated by CAA Media Finance for the filmmakers, with Briarcliff’s Ortenberg, Jessica Rose, and Danielle Goodman Strong overseeing the agreement. As anticipation builds for the film’s release, audiences are eager to see how Majors’ performance in Magazine Dreams will resonate in a changing Hollywood landscape.
Source: Deadline