Steven Spielberg is the godfather of the Hollywood blockbuster, but the director also has a knack for delivering high-quality historical dramas, as he has in recent years with the Oscar-winning Lincoln and Bridge of Spies. As the legendary helmsman makes his way through post-production on Ready Player One (a throwback adventure movie), the pieces have started to come into place for his latest fact-based picture. Last week, Spielberg signed on to direct The Post, a film based on the Washington Post's 1970s investigation of the Pentagon Papers. Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep were also in talks to play Post editor Ben Bradlee and reporter Kay Graham, respectively.

The Post certainly sounded like something with the potential to be Spielberg's latest Academy Award contender, but there was some question as to when it would hit theaters. Spielberg has kept busy, as he was also planning drama The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara and a fifth Indiana Jones installment in addition to completing Ready Player One. Now, however, it would appear that Spielberg is ready to jump into the world of newspapers sooner rather than later, and The Post looks to be set for a late 2017 premiere.

According to Deadline, The Post has been put on the (very) fast track. The principal trio are in the process of clearing their schedules so production on the film can begin in May. It would appear, then, that Fox will release it in time for awards season this year, making The Post an extremely early one for Oscar prognosticators to watch. Given the story's timely nature of journalists exposing government corruption, it's understandable why the studio would be eager to get the ball rolling. No official date has been selected yet.

With The Post coming into fruition rather quickly, it means Edgardo Mortara has been placed on the back-burner for now, and it will be interesting to see when that project gains traction again. Lucasfilm already secured a July 2019 release date for Indiana Jones 5, so conceivably, Spielberg will have to jump back to archeology once The Post is finished. Granted, the director has juggled multiple films at once before (see: Jurassic Park and Schindler's List), so it is possible Edgardo Mortara resumes in the near future. That said, Harvey Weinstein is said to be working on his own film dealing with that subject matter, so Spielberg may decide to move on to something else entirely when he's done with his commitments.

In the meantime, fans of Spielberg have plenty to look forward to with The Post. The director has a long and fruitful history with Hanks, previously collaborating with the actor on acclaimed films Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me if You Can, and Bridge of Spies. As for Streep, she remains at the top of her game, earning yet another Oscar nomination this year for Florence Foster Jenkins, so her involvement in any film is certainly attention-grabbing. Hopefully, The Post can live up to its on-paper potential and be an All the President's Men for a new generation.

We'll keep you updated on The Post as more information becomes available.

Source: Deadline