Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders is a deep dive into the realm of motorcycle culture, focusing on the 1960s American subculture where young men traded freedom for chaos. This upcoming movie, starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy, was originally set for a December 2023 release but got pushed to June 21, 2024.
Inspired by Iconic Photography
The film finds its roots in the work of photographer Danny Lyon, whose book The Bikeriders released in 1968, chronicles his interactions with the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club from 1963 to 1967. His poignant images combined with interviews created a template that has inspired filmmakers like Nichols.
From Page to Screen
What’s amazing about photographs is that you really get to sit with those images. I love all the faces. I just love all the detail and all the texture that we were able to achieve. What I love about them is that they feel like documentary images,
director Jeff Nichols shared. He elaborated that this cinematic project took him more than a decade to bring to life.
A Nostalgic Photo Companion
Timed with the release of The Bikeriders, Insight Editions published a new photography book titled Vandals: The Photography of The Bikeriders. Shot by Bryan Schutmaat and Kyle Bono Kaplan, it serves as a visual homage to both the film and Danny Lyon’s original work.
A Testimony to Dedication
Lyon himself felt honored by the recreation of his original subjects on screen. I always romanticized them…
, he said about the real-life characters depicted. He also noted how personal it was seeing these people he admired come alive through actors like Hardy and Comer.
Austin Butler on His Role
Austin Butler revealed his thoughts about working on this challenging film: I enjoyed working with Jeff Nichols and the talented cast on this film. It was a challenging role that pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I’m proud of the end result,
he said.
The Story and Setting
The movie follows a local Chicago motorcycle club called the Vandals and explores their evolution throughout the ’60s. Critics have lauded this film as an intense and immersive experience, capturing not only their raw lifestyle but also the era’s essence through meticulous attention to detail.
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