Right up above, you can have a first look at Mike Leigh‘s new, untitled, and sixth collaboration with Timothy Spall, this particular outing concerning legendary painter J.M.W. Turner. Although one may be curious, then, as to why a first glimpse does not capture the 18th- and 19th-century artist caught in his most famous act, note the writer-director’s own quote, in explaining why this will make for his “most ambitious” project: “You don’t make a film about Turner and cut the exteriors. This is a guy who strapped himself to the mast of a ship to paint a storm. He’s for real. So, yes, expensive.” And, yes, a precursor. [RopeofSilicon]

For a clearer idea of what Leigh‘s Turner picture might entail, we need not wait terribly long: Sony Pictures Classics, having already picked up the title, are hoping to give it a release in 2014. Rope of Silicon have suggested it could arrive in Cannes — this seems plausible, all things considered; timing would dictate the in-post-production title being wrapped by that point — and, if we’re lucky, perhaps a small summer roll out (à la their recent Woody Allen titles) will soon follow. It’s not too much to hope for.

What do you think of this first image? Are you hoping to see Leigh and Spall tackle the life of Turner?

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