Watch out, Tom Cruise. There’s a new action-movie star in town, Magnolia Pictures has dropped a new trailer for a highly anticipated Sundance Favorite film, “Thelma.”
Josh Margolin’s first film as director, “THELMA,” is a touching comedy with an action twist that presents veteran Oscar nominee June Squibb (“NEBRASKA“) with her first leading role and showcases the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (“SHAFT“). The majority of Squibb’s stunts were performed by her in the movie.
Squibb portrays Thelma Post, a spirited 93-year-old grandmother who was deceived by a phone scammer who claimed to be her grandson, played by Fred Hechinger (“The White Lotus“), and stole $10,000 from her. She sets off on a dangerous journey across Los Angeles, with an elderly friend (Roundtree) and his electric scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her.
Besides Squibb and Roundtree, the film also stars Malcom McDowell, Nicole Byer, and Parker Posey and Clark Gregg play Hechinger’s onscreen parents.
“THELMA” is based on an experience from Margolin’s grandmother and uses a clever approach to films such as “MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE,” by spotlighting an elderly grandmother as an unlikely action hero. With her grit and determination, Squibb portrays Thelma, the strong-willed character, with grit and determination, demonstrating her ability to handle business despite the belief of her daughter Gail (Posey), son-in-law Alan (Gregg), or grandson Danny.
Richard Roundtree as Thelma’s friend and accomplice Ben, one of his last roles before his last October death. The Shaft star “gives such a beautiful performance in the movie,” writer-director Josh Margolin tells PEOPLE.
Filmmaker Margolin said, ‘We set out to make something human and relatable, but also kind of insane.” Margolin who based the character of Thelma off of his own 103-year-old grandmother.
Squibb’s busy schedule as a movie star this year are Don’t Tell mom the Babysitters’ Dead, voicing the emotion Nostalgia in “Inside Out 2,” and Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut “Eleanor the Great.”
Magnolia Pictures will release “Thelma” in theaters on Friday, June 21.