(Updated 08/26/2024)
We've seen Ronald Reagan appear in many movies as a character — just as often as a figure of parody as an honestly dramatized portrait — but the man who was a movie star in his original career has never been the focus of a modern biopic. That changes with REAGAN, a biographical drama directed by Sean McNamara. As you might expect, REAGAN focuses on the life of Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Dennis Quaid portrays Reagan in his later years, including during his time as President. Here's the trailer for REAGAN and everything we know about the biopic.
What's the Reagan Release Date?
REAGAN will be released in movie theaters on August 30, 2024.
Watch the New Trailer for Reagan
This new trailer for REAGAN is a fast-paced overview of major moments in Ronald Reagan's life — and of several notable points in the American public's relationship with him as well.
Is Reagan Based on a Book?
In fact, two books form the basis of the screenplay by Howard Klausner and Jonas McCord. Two biographies by Paul Kengor, "The Crusader" and "God and Ronald Reagan," serve as the main inspirations for the movie. As such, REAGAN will likely be oriented as much around Reagan's personal faith as his political ideology when it comes to mapping out why he followed specific policies and made key decisions.
What Is the Focus of Reagan?
We know that the movie aims to chronicle Reagan's journey from his early days as a lifeguard in Illinois, through his career in Hollywood, and ultimately to his tenure as Governor of California and President of the United States.
That's a grand overview, but of course the movie will likely focus primarily on Reagan's two terms as President of the United States. Specifically, we'll likely see much of his presidential campaigns and key events of his administrations, such as the assassination attempt in 1981, the "Star Wars" Strategic Defense Initiative, and famous speeches such as the "Tear down this wall" speech in Berlin.
Additionally, the backdrop of Soviet expansion following World War II must also form a significant part of the movie's structure. What we don't know is how REAGAN will approach subjects such as the Iran-Contra affair, and Reagan's response (or lack thereof) to the AIDS crisis.
Who's in the Cast of Reagan?
We mentioned Dennis Quaid as the star of Reagan, and he is certainly the face of the film as he plays Reagan during the years in which the former actor rose to national, and then global prominence. Penelope Ann Miller co-stars as Nancy Reagan, while Tommy Ragen and David Henrie play Ronald Reagan at younger points in his life.
And then there is a huge supporting cast to fill out a great many roles which populate REAGAN with a roster of 1980s political and cultural figures. For anyone who lived through the primary era of Reagan's presidency, this list of personalities will trigger a whole series of memories.
Nick Searcy plays James Baker, C. Thomas Howell is Caspar Weinberger, Kevin Dillon plays Jack L. Warner, Skip Schwink appears as Jimmy Carter, and Mena Suvari plays Jane Wyman. Additionally, Trevor Donovan plays John Barletta, Lesley-Anne Down is Margaret Thatcher, Aleksander Krupa is Mikhail Gorbachev, Hideo Kimura plays Yasuhiro Nakasone, and Robert Davi appears as Leonid Brezhnev. Finally, Creed singer Scott Stapp plays crooner Frank Sinatra.
There will be some composite and fictionalized characters in the movie, too, such as the KGB agent Viktor Ivanov, played by Jon Voight.
REAGAN opens on August 30.
All images courtesy of ShowBiz Direct.