New ‘State of Play’ Pics (Plus A Trailer)

If you caught last night’s Heroes (and didn’t skip through the commercials), you would’ve seen glimpses of Universal Pictures’ political thriller, State of Play. Based on a BBC Television mini-series, the film revolves around a team of investigative reporters work with a police detective to solve the murder of a research assistant/mistress to potential presidential candidate, U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins. Filled with drama and conspiracy, the film features a number of great actors including: Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Helen Mirren.

State of Play is directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), the screenplay is written by Matthew Michael Carnahan (Lions for Lambs, The Kingdom), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, Bourne-series), and Billy Ray (Breach, Flightplan). Judging by the scribes involved, State of Play has potential to be a heart-pumping meeting of the minds.

Official Synopsis:

Oscar® winner Russell Crowe leads an all-star cast in a blistering thriller about a rising congressman and an investigative journalist embroiled in an case of seemingly unrelated, brutal murders.  Crowe plays D.C. reporter Cal McCaffrey, whose street smarts lead him to untangle a mystery of murder and collusion among some of the nation’s most promising political and corporate figures in State of Play, from acclaimed director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).

Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck) is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending.  All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party’s contender for the upcoming presidential race.  Until his research assistant/mistress is brutally murdered and buried secrets come tumbling out.

McCaffrey has the dubious fortune of both an old friendship with Collins and a ruthless editor, Cameron (Oscar® winner Helen Mirren), who has assigned him to investigate.  As he and partner Della (Rachel McAdams) try to uncover the killer’s identity, McCaffrey steps into a cover-up that threatens to shake the nation’s power structures.  And in a town of spin-doctors and wealthy politicos, he will discover one truth: when billions are at stake, no one’s integrity, love or life is ever safe.

Ben Affleck in scene from State of Play

Russell Crowe looking scruffy in State of Play

Rachel McAdams with her best “mom look” in State of Play

Although we cover more of the sci-fi/superhero/action genres, the State of Play trailer piqued our interest:

Looks like a good solid drama to tide us over until the flood of superhero & sci-fi goodness arrives in May.

State of Play hits theaters on April 17th. You can catch more about the film at StateOfPlayMovie.net.