All the King’s Men (2006) is an adaptation of the 1946 Pulitzer Prize winning novel All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. It is directed by Steven Zaillian, who is also listed in the writing credits. Although the 1949 Academy Award-winning movie All the King’s Men was also based on the novel, the 2006 movie is not a remake of the earlier movie, which Zaillian had never seen.
As of December 2005, extended post-production has pushed the film’s wide release by Columbia Pictures to September 22, 2006. Meryl Streep was originally cast for the role of Sadie Burke; however, Variety announced that she has in fact decided to drop out (she has since been replaced by actress Patricia Clarkson).
The film was first screened to the press at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006, as reported in the 9/11/2006 edition of USA Today. Although the film “drew an overflow crowd,” audiences were “not bowled over”. The world premiere was held at Tulane University in New Orleans on September 16, 2006. The film has been predicted to be an Oscar contender for Best Picture and for strong acting performances by Sean Penn and Anthony Hopkins.
Sean Penn – Willie Stark
Jude Law – Jack Burden
Kate Winslet – Anne Stanton
James Gandolfini – Tiny Duffy
Patricia Clarkson – Sadie Burke
Mark Ruffalo – Adam Stanton
Anthony Hopkins – Judge Irwin
Kathy Baker – Mrs. Burden
Travis Champagne – Tom Stark
Jackie Earle Haley – Sugar Boy
Connor Fux – Tennis Boy
