First Look: Jeff Bridges In The Coens' 'True Grit'

Jeff Bridges probably won't look to bring a lot of John Wayne to his interpretation of The Duke's Oscar-winning performance as Rooster Cogburn in True Grit, but I think the weathered Bad Blake from Crazy Heart should tell you a lot about what Bridges may be up to when you look at this first official image (via Slashfilm) from Joel and Ethan Coen's repurposing of Charles Portis' novel.
Click to Enlarge Pictured with Bridges is Hailee Steinfeld, who won a nationwide search to play Mattie Ross, although it should be pointed out that even though there was actually something of an online contest to get this role cast, Steinfeld does have previous film and TV experience. But when I say this is a repurposing of the original book, that's what the Coens intend to do and why Steinfeld is so pivotal. In Portis' book, Mattie has a much larger role than she does in the 1969 film. To buttress her return to form, the Coens clearly aren't taking any chances, signing up Matt Damon and Josh Brolin, along with the newly minted Best Actor winner. Here's an odd release pattern: Focus is putting True Grit in theaters on a Saturday. Weird. Anyway, it's the last Saturday of the year, December 25th.

Comments

[quin browne]

I remember seeing the first one, and wondering why it didn't quite follow the book, re: Mattie. This should be something I'm willing to see...

[craig]

This is the movie that I am truly excited to see.

[SEAN]

Bridges is a God among actors....I mean look at his dam resume, its incredible

Love Damon as well he deserves an Oscar for acting any year now, Im calling it....