The first trailer for The Water Man reveals David Oyelowo's directorial debut. The Water Man has been in the works since 2015, when news broke that Oyelowo would be partnering with Oprah Winfrey on a new project that was described as a cross between Stand By Me and E.T. Winfrey serves as a producer on the film, which made its world premiere debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last September. Upon its premiere, The Water Man received positive reviews from critics and currently sits at a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Written by Emma Needell, The Water Man centers on a young boy named Gunnar (Lonnie Chavis) who holds a special bond with his ailing mother (Rosario Dawson). When her condition takes a turn for the worse, Gunnar disappears into stacks of books on both science and the supernatural in search of possible cures. When he learns of the mythic Water Man, who might carry the secret to eternal life, he partners up with his rebellious friend Jo (Amiah Miller) to find the legendary figure. However, as they get deeper and deeper into their quest, their best hope for survival becomes Gunnar's father (Oyelowo), who must immerse himself in his son’s world to follow the clues that will lead him to the kids and put his family back together.
On Wednesday, RLJE Films unveiled the first trailer for The Water Man. The clip wastes no time in immersing itself in the fantastical world of the film, which straddles the line between reality and myths. As Oyelowo said in a statement, The Water Man is about "sacrificial love, hope and overcoming adversity." Check out the trailer down below.
The Water Man also stars Alfred Molina and Maria Bello. It will debut in theaters on May 7, 2021. Oyelowo, who recently appeared in the YA adaptation Chaos Walking, is perhaps best known for his impressive turn as Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma. With The Water Man, he enters new territory as a director, and based on the trailer, it looks like he's chosen a fascinating story to start with. It will be interesting to see how he moves between the real world his character inhabits and the mythical elements Gunner wades into.
After spending roughly the past year largely stuck inside, The Water Man looks to provide an expansive new adventure that will enchant audiences of all ages. Some of the younger viewers might be a bit unsettled by the story of the Water Man, but it should be noted the film itself is rated PG. Oyelowo has proven himself to be a versatile actor, and the early reactions to The Water Man hint he'll be an impressive director too.
Source: RLJE Films