‘Magnificent Seven’ remake to be featured at Toronto film fest

TORONTO (Reuters) – Director Antoine Fuqua’s remake of the 1960s Western “The Magnificent Seven” is expected to kick off the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8, which will include movies about whistleblower Edward Snowden and former U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson among the usual Oscar hopefuls.

The 10-day festival, now in its 41st year, has become a launching pad for Hollywood’s award season, with films such as “12 Years a Slave,” “The King’s Speech” and “Slumdog Millionaire” all gaining critical momentum in Toronto before going on to win the Academy Awards for best picture.

Organizers said in a statement on Tuesday that the festival is expected to start with the world premiere of “The Magnificent Seven.” The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Byung-Hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett and Peter Sarsgaard.

Fuqua’s remake of the 1960 original tells the story of the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, played by Sarsgaard, and the mercenaries hired to protect the townspeople.

The festival will close with the world premiere of Kelly Fremon Craig’s “The Edge of Seventeen,” which tells the tale of an awkward high school student, played by Hailee Steinfeld, who gains the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy played by Hayden Szeto. The film also stars Woody Harrelson.

Biographical films feature prominently in the festival’s high-profile gala and special presentation programs.

Oliver Stone, known for the gangster movie “Scarface” and the financial drama “Wall Street,” directs “Snowden,” which features Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the personal story of the titular polarizing figure who exposed U.S. illegal surveillance.

Rob Reiner, known for the romantic comedy “When Harry Met Sally …” and the courtroom drama “A Few Good Men,” directed “LBJ,” in which Harrelson portrays the former president.

The festival runs through September 18.

(Reporting by Ethan Lou in Toronto; Editing by Bill Trott)