Sylvester Stallone, Tony Jaa, Willem Dafoe…June Squibb? That’s right, action has a new name when Thelma, the beloved Sundance action-comedy starring the 94-year-old Oscar nominee, hits theaters this summer.
Magnolia Pictures has debuted an action-packed teaser for Thelma on the same day they’ve announced the film’s June 21st release date. The directorial debut by Josh Margolin had its world premiere a couple of months ago at Sundance, where it received rave reviews.
The teaser, and the film itself, follows in the recent tradition set by The Beekeeper, one of the biggest hits of the year. Boasting “June Squibb is Thelma” similar to “Jason Statham is The Beekeeper”, the story is almost exactly the same…with some key differences. In Thelma, Squibb plays a grandmother who falls for a phone scam, and sets out on a dangerous mission to get her money back.
Who needs a cool, kick-ass ride when you’ve got a motorized scooter?
Also in the cast are Fred Hechinger, the late Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Malcolm McDowell, and Clark Gregg.
Here’s the synopsis: The feature directorial debut of Josh Margolin, THELMA is a poignant action-comedy that gives veteran Oscar® nominee June Squibb (NEBRASKA) her first leading role and features the final performance of trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree (SHAFT). Squibb, who did most of her own stunts in the film, plays Thelma Post, a feisty 93-year-old grandmother who gets conned by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson (The White Lotus’ Fred Hechinger) and sets out on a treacherous quest across Los Angeles, accompanied by an aging friend (Roundtree) and his motorized scooter, to reclaim what was taken from her. Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell also star.
Cortland reviewed the film for us and absolutely loved it. I saw it, too, and found it to be the kind of winning charmer that’s easy to fall for. It’s hard to believe that anyone couldn’t enjoy themselves watching Squibb and Roundtree walk away from explosions that would make Michael Bay jealous.