Maggie Gyllenhaal Unveils ‘The Bride’ at CinemaCon
In an electrifying presentation at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Maggie Gyllenhaal provided the first glimpse of her much-anticipated film, The Bride. Accompanied by lead actress Jessie Buckley and Warner Bros. executives Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, Gyllenhaal captivated the audience in the iconic Colosseum theater.
A New Twist on a Classic Tale
The Bride marks Gyllenhaal’s sophomore directorial venture, visualizing a fresh take on Mary Shelley’s renowned narrative. Transitioning the classic storyline to 1930s Chicago, the film explores the journey of a forsaken Frankenstein creature seeking companionship through the help of Dr. Euphronios. This results in the revival of a murdered woman—the titular bride. The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Christian Bale, Penelope Cruz, Annette Bening, John Magaro, and Julianne Hough. Notably, it also includes family ties, with Gyllenhaal casting her brother, Jake Gyllenhaal, and husband Peter Sarsgaard.
Inspiration Behind ‘The Bride’
Following her acclaimed debut with The Lost Daughter, Gyllenhaal sought a project that was both “pop and big”as well as “radical.”The story for The Bride was sparked at a party where she encountered a man sporting a tattoo of the Bride of Frankenstein. “It hooked me, and I went home and watched the movie again,” she revealed. “Our bride is drastically different, as she doesn’t merely exist to serve the narrative for just three minutes.”
Exploring the Monstrous Within
Gyllenhaal’s interpretation introduces a bride who transcends conventional expectations, reflecting her fascination with the concept of monstrosity. “All of us carry a sliver of something monstrous within us,” she stated, suggesting that viewers’ enduring love for monster movies speaks to a universal truth. “You can run from that aspect your whole life, or you can embrace it.”
Jessie Buckley’s Enthusiasm for the Role
For Buckley, reading the script felt like a revelation. “It felt as though I was being plugged into an electrical current. It was so wild and unique!” she exclaimed. “I have immense admiration for Maggie; she’s an incredible woman. I would have followed her anywhere.” Buckley further described The Bride’s relationship with Frankenstein as “the punkest love that’s ever existed,” infused with an essence reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde and Wild at Heart, teeming with dangerous passion.
Release Date Update
In a recent announcement, Warner Bros. confirmed a rescheduling of the film’s release from September 26, 2025, to March 6, 2026. Gyllenhaal made her mark in the industry with her directorial debut, delivering a powerful narrative through The Lost Daughter after years of acting.
About CinemaCon
The unveiling of The Bride coincides with CinemaCon, the premier gathering of cinema proprietors and Hollywood studios, rebranded this year as Cinema United. The event, which lasts from March 31 to April 3, continues to be a significant platform for significant industry revelations.