FilmmakerTerrence Malickdoesn’t strike one as the type to traffic in sequels and spinoffs, especially for his little-seenBen Affleck/Rachel McAdams/Olga KurylenkodramaTo the Wonder, but that’s exactly what’s happening. A trailer for a short film calledThy Kingdom Comehas landed online, which effectively serves as a spinoff of the 2012 film and is made up of unused footage. PerThe New Yorker(viaThe Playlist), photojournalistEugene Richardswas hired by Malick to join him on the Bartlesville, Oklahoma set ofTo the Wonder, where Richards was tasked with filming scenes in whichJavier Bardem’s priest character would interview actual residents of the town.
Somewhat surprisingly, the residents acted as if Bardem was a real priest (even though they knew he wasn’t), and opened up, revealing painful and emotional true stories. That footage never made it intoTo the Wonder, but it’s been cut together for a 43-minute short film calledThy Kingdom Comewhich will debut at the SXSW Film Festival next month. Richards got permission from Malick to use the footage, and while it’s unclear how or when this might get a release, a trailer showcases some really gorgeous and emotional stuff.
To the Wonderwas part of a surprisingly prolific period for Malick, who broke out withBadlandsandDays of Heavenin the 1970s then disappeared until 1998’sThe Thin Red Line. After 2011’sThe Tree of Life, Malick went on a tear and shot three new films back-to-back:To the Wonder,Knight of Cups, andSong to Song. Given his lengthy editing process these films saw a staggered release schedule, but the footage for them was captured in short order.
To the Wonderis a bit underrated, and while I can understand some folks’ frustration with the poetic nature of the movie—including from Affleck, who was surprised to find all his lines had been cut out—I think it’s an effective and moving portrait of love and a crumbling marriage. But again, it’s not a film for everyone, and if folks thoughtTo the Wonderwas shapeless they had no idea what was coming withKnight of CupsandSong to Song.
But thisTo the WonderspinoffThy Kingdom Comelooks kind of terrific, and I’m curious to see if it’ll get a wider release. Check out the trailer below.
