For any filmmaker, we imagine part of the fun of doing a Hollywood-centered period piece is being able to apply one’s wealth of cinematic knowledge in bringing to life iconic talents, sets, scenes, etc. Although it wasn’t located near Los Angeles, Martin Scorsese incorporated many early filmmaking touchstones in his Paris-set Hugo and now Joel and Ethan Coen will jump forward a few decades for their 1950’s-set Hollywood Golden Age comedy Hail, Caesar!.
Last week, the trailer showed off Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Tilda Swinton, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Frances McDormand, Christopher Lambert and Scarlett Johansson in the story set during a single day in the life of a studio fixer who is presented with plenty of problems to fix.
Slate has now created a video highlighting the specific references, from the obvious (Brolin’s Eddie Mannix, Tatum channeling Gene Kelly, Swinton taking on a Hedda Hopper-type, Johansson doing her best Esther Williams) to more acute nods when it comes to exact films and MGM’s overall history. It’s a great primer as we anticipate the film that looks better than just about any of this year’s awards contenders. Check it out below.
Hail, Caesar! opens on February 5th, 2016.