Not to misinterpret as another viral hissy fit post a DUI arrest, the Reese Witherspoon headed Wild will be released on December 5, right in the middle of awards season. 

Though not without some well-received films as of late (Devil’s Knot, Mud), Witherspoon hasn’t given an award-winning performance since her Oscar-winning turn as June Carter in Walk the Line in 2005.  But given the complexity and high reputation of the source material, Wild may provide the next great performance from the seasoned actress.  She is also producing the film with Bruna Papandrea (Warm Bodies).

Based upon Cheryl Strayed’s critically praised memoir of the same the name, Wild is an incredible journey of personal healing and discovery.  In the wake of her mother’s sudden death and subsequent fallout of her marriage, Strayed – only 26 years old and without any experience – decides to backpack alone the more than 1,000-mile long Pacific Crest Trail, ranging from southern California to Washington State.

Wild seems even more promising given the creative team: its director, Jean-Marc Vallee, directed last year’s surprise critical hit Dallas Buyer’s Club (which earned both Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto acting Oscars) and its screenwriter, Nick Hornby, has penned both acclaimed screenplays (An Education) and novels (About a Boy, High Fidelity).

Other notable cast members include Michiel Huisman (Game of Thrones, World War Z) Laura Dern (Enlightened, Inland Empire), W. Earl Brown (Draft Day, The Lone Ranger), Gabby Hoffman (Obvious Child, Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus), Kevin Rankin (Dallas Buyers Club), and Thomas Sadoski (Newsroom).

We will be on the look out for future trailers and other press releases regarding the film.