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Janus Films Debuts First U.S. Trailer for Lav Diaz’s Magellan, Sets Jan. 9 Theatrical Release

The U.S. rollout reflects a festival-acclaimed campaign with national awards backing.

Overview

  • Janus Films released the first U.S. trailer and poster on November 18.
  • U.S. theaters will begin showing the film on January 9, 2026.
  • Directed by Lav Diaz and starring Gael García Bernal as Ferdinand Magellan, the film employs a stark, formally rigorous approach to reconsider colonial narratives.
  • After a Cannes premiere and a wide festival tour, the film earned strong notices for its critique of colonialism and Bernal’s performance, and it is the Philippines’ official Oscar submission.
  • Coverage notes a roughly 2-hour-40-minute Cannes cut and reports of a potential nine-hour version that may be released.