Glengarry Glen Ross writer-director David Mamet’s new film is a prison drama. Get your first look at Henry Johnson here:
There are few better at writing single room screenplays than David Mamet. If you don’t believe us, go back and rewatch the introduction of Alec Baldwin’s sales shark, Blake, in 1992’s Glengarry Glen Ross. Mamet can weave magic from placing a couple of human beings in a single space and writing dialogue for them.
Henry Johnson, the director’s new film, follows the title character (Evan Jonigkeit) and his experiences in the US prison system, where he eventually shares a cell with Gene (Shia LaBeouf, whose recent career has been mired by allegations of violent abuse).
Mamet writes and directs. The story is based on his own 2023 play of the same name, the same process that led him to direct Glengarry Glen Ross for the screen. Mamet’s other script work includes films like The Verdict, Hannibal and Wag The Dog.
Mamet’s name most recently hit the headlines for a film he won’t be making. First announced back in late 2023, Assassination hit the headlines because of Mamet’s firing. The project was announced back in 2023 with Barry Levinson at the helm, with the film set to explore of Chicago mobster Sam Giancana and his alleged conspiracy to assassinate President John F Kennedy.
At the time of the project’s announcement, it was mentioned that Levinson had replaced Mamet (who co-wrote the script) in the director’s chair. In February, we covered a report that suggested that the transition of power was anything but smooth. Nicholas Celozzi, the film’s other co-writer, has filed a lawsuit against 308, the film’s financiers, accusing them of firing Mamet ‘without authorisation’. It was also alleged that a result of Mamet’s firing, Shia LaBoeuf, John Travolta and Viggo Mortensen all left the project with only Al Pacino choosing to remain on board.
Hopefully, Mamet hasn’t been too bruised by the situation and will continue pushing other projects forwards. Henry Johnson will be released in cinemas on May 9th in the UK on PVOD via the film’s website. If we hear of any further release plans, we’ll let you know.
