Wes Anderson Drops New Trailer For “Asteroid City”

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Acclaimed director Wes Anderson’s work is returning to the big screen for the first time since 2021. The trailer for “Asteroid City” featured a star studded cast, including Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Matt Dillon, Maya Hawke, Scarlet Johansson, Margot Robbie, and more. The trailer notably featured Anderson’s signature whimsical pastel color palette.

The film will follow the moment when several different lives meet in a fictional desert town in 1955 for a friendly competition, and the inevitable romance and mishaps that ensue. The film has been billed a hybrid science-fiction romantic-comedy.

Anderson’s fans reacted with excitement to the cast and premise of the film, while some continued to recognize the racial makeup of Anderson’s films. While the director has often received praise for his distinct vintage infused style, there are rarely actors of color appearing in his films. One Twitter user spotted a few Black actors in the trailer, and hoped that it marked progress for diversifying this niche genre of film.

One critic named Jourdain Searles (@judysquirrels) recounted an uncomfortable experience she had while watching one of Anderson’s previous films in theaters. While Searles praised Anderson’s work, she went on to explain that while it may not be Anderson’s intention, she feels that the culture surrounding his films perpetuates racism in film.

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One Twitter user compared rapper Tyler The Creator’s latest music video for “Sorry Not Sorry” to the film’s aesthetic, further proving that Black artists should be included more often in Anderson’s films.

Others chose to focus on the casting choices, particularly Tom Hanks slipping into the intricate and bizarre world of Wes Anderson.

Other film buffs encouraged viewers not to pass judgements on the film before seeing it in theaters. Anderson is the only contemporary director to maintain this distinct style to this level of consistently, and some feel that not all of the criticisms surrounding him are valid.

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Others brought up another theory–that Wes Anderson’s latest project appears to be more self aware of his critics than ever.

Some appreciated the attention to detail present in all of Anderson’s movies, from the mustaches to the overall aesthetic.

Color grading in film has become a hot topic of conversation in the entertainment industry. As technology advances, movies have increasingly gained the ability to portray evening scenes in a new depth of darkness that is intended to feel immersive to viewers. However, many feel that it makes the action on screen more difficult to see. Some praised Anderson for sticking to his bright color grading and not adhering to the modern trends.

Some even drew comparisons to other space westerns, including “The Looney Tunes.”

Despite the criticisms surrounding Anderson’s frequent lack of diverse casting, some praised the director for tackling fairly universal subject matter through his work in a creative way–from complex family dynamics to love stories and world issues.

“Asteroid City” hits theaters June 16, and has been rumored to potentially premiere before critics at the Cannes Film Festival between May 16 and May 27.

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