Jonathan Majors steps into the role of a troubled amateur bodybuilder in Magazine Dreams, the long-delayed drama from writer-director Elijah Bynum. The film, which explores ambition, isolation, and self-destruction, is finally set to hit theaters after spending nearly a year in limbo.
Majors stars as Killian Maddox, a man obsessed with becoming a world-renowned bodybuilder. His relentless pursuit of greatness pushes him to his physical and emotional limits. “You have to do something big and important, or no one will remember you when you’re dead,” Killian says in the trailer, revealing the desperation that fuels him. As he struggles with inner demons and a world that often ignores him, his journey becomes as punishing as the workouts that define his existence.
The film also features Harrison Page as Killian’s ailing grandfather, whom he cares for, alongside Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, and bodybuilder Mike O’Hearn. Magazine Dreams premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, earning critical acclaim and a U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award. Its success sparked a bidding war, with Searchlight Pictures initially securing distribution rights.
However, after Jonathan Majors was convicted in 2023 of domestic assault and harassment against his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari, Searchlight dropped the film. The case, which involved allegations of an attack in a Manhattan car, resulted in probation and a court order for Majors to complete a year-long domestic violence intervention program. Once considered a rising star, he was swiftly dropped from major projects, including Disney and Marvel, where he had been cast as Kang the Conqueror.
With Magazine Dreams left in limbo, Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in, acquiring the film for distribution. The company, known for its recent release of the controversial Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice, has now slated the drama for a March 21 theatrical debut.
“Magazine Dreams is a visceral experience that challenges perceptions of ambition and identity,” said Briarcliff CEO Tom Ortenberg. “Elijah’s film made a well-deserved splash at Sundance, and we’re excited to bring it to audiences across the country.”
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