Eastwood to Direct Juror #2 for Warner Bros as Final Film

[AKA23]

I still have so many questions about Juror #2. I think the John Grisham comparison is spot-on, and I wonder why Clint chose this project in particular for what could be his last film. At surface level, it doesn't strike me as very personal; whereas in the case of Clint's biopics or even Cry Macho, these films could be interpreted as deconstructions of classic Hollywood characters, we are yet to see how Juror #2 connects to that. What does Eastwood have in common with a juror who realizes he's guilty of the crime he's supposed to make a decision on? Some statement about reserving judgement? A commentary being a part of the Hollywood culture? A feeling of repressed guilt? Who knows.

This is a good question. I'm not sure this movie connects in any deep way thematically for Eastwood on a personal level. Based on the synopsis it does seem to be another where the system does not work as intended to produce a just result, the wrong person is being prosecuted for a crime he did not commit, and it needs to be subverted to right that wrong, so it may connect in that way with previous films. It also seems to be a bit of a redemption story because the juror is seeking to atone for his own role in the killing. I think that Eastwood is likely doing this movie not for any particularly deep reason but because "Cry Macho" was poorly received, and if this is the last film, he doesn't want to end his career on a bad film. Something to understand about Eastwood is that he is an instinctual, rather than an introspective, filmmaker, so I think as fans we likely think a lot more about the themes of his films and the deeper meanings behind his choices than he does. I wouldn't be surprised if he were making this for no other reason beyond him liking the story and taking advantage of an opportunity to do a film that was hopefully better than "Cry Macho" and that has a greater opportunity of being well received. I think the only time Eastwood really thought deeply about his legacy and how he would be thought of historically is when he made "Unforgiven" which is the main reason it has remained the last western for Eastwood for the past 30 years.

[Gant]

Looks like he hasn?t shaved since the strike commenced?

[Hocine]

Good question and interesting answers too.
I would add that initially and even before making Cry Macho, Clint wanted to make a legal drama anyway: I think of that Clarence Darrow project called Conviction, which did not come to fruition at this point. Juror #2, regarding the synopsis, seems old-fashioned, like many other Clint films. I think that it is a new occasion for Clint to explore and describe the American society through its legal system, its good sides and its dark sides: how does a man deal with the institutions of his country ? And also, how does he deal with his own consciousness ?
Juror #2 is promising and I am happy to see Clint making an other film.

[honkytonkman]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SJ8448b49us