Midway Point: Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2009: #3. Biutiful

#3. Biutiful

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu
Writer(s): Iñárritu, Armando Bo, Nicolás Giacobone
Producers: Fernando Bovaira, Alfonso Cuarón, Iñárritu, Jon Kilik, Guillermo del Toro
Distributor: Focus Features.

The Gist: This is about a man embroiled in shady dealings who is confronted by a childhood friend, now a policeman.

Fact: Bardem had a spinal injury on the set.

Why is it on the list?: How will Iñárritu fare without Guillermo Arriaga? I’m guessing he’ll be more than fine (track record is impeccable). Javier Bardem is on board and so is DP Rodrigo Prieto.

Release Date/Status?: Currently in post-production, the chances this does a double showing at Venice and Toronto are very likely. A December 11th date is pegged for theatrical.