If Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone showcased a dose of electrifying chemistry in Glenn Ficarra and John Requa’s dramedy Crazy, Stupid, Love, director Damien Chazelle is all but set to dial that up to 11 with the release of La La Land, the upcoming musical drama jostling for a place in this year’s Oscar race.
Written and directed by Chazelle, should the dreamy feature nab a nomination or two, it wouldn’t be the first of the director’s features to do so, after the filmmaker struck a chord with the Academy two years ago with the really rather excellent Whiplash.
Indeed, La La Land heralds a new collaboration between the filmmaker and accomplished composer Justin Hurwitz, who penned many of the original songs found in Whiplash. The reunions don’t end there, though, with J.K. not-quite-my-tempo Simmons also on board to star. He headlines a supporting cast comprised of Finn Wittrock, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt and Meagen Fay, though it’s really Stone and Gosling’s leads that anchor the drama.
Set against the bright neon lights of modern Los Angeles, Emma Stone is attached to the part of Mia, a would-be singer and aspiring actress, with Ryan Gosling filling the slick shoes of dapper jazz musician, Sebastian. Inevitably, sparks fly, and in this dreamy new teaser, we begin to get a sense of the pair’s new on-screen relationship as they jive their way into La La Land.
La La Land will whisk viewers on a magical, downright beautiful journey when Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash follow-up debuts on December 2. It’ll then expand nationwide on December 10, just in time for awards season.
Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee Damien Chazelle, LA LA LAND tells the story of Mia [Emma Stone], an aspiring actress, and Sebastian [Ryan Gosling], a dedicated jazz musician, who are struggling to make ends meet in a city known for crushing hopes and breaking hearts. Set in modern day Los Angeles, this original musical about everyday life explores the joy and pain of pursuing your dreams.