Roadside Attractions has released the first trailer for the upcoming biographical drama Trial by Fire starring Jack O’Connell (Unbroken) and Laura Dern (Big Little Lies) based on the true story of the controversial Texas arson trial of Cameron Todd Willingham.
The film, written by Academy Award winner Geoffrey S. Fletcher (Precious), based on the New Yorker article of the same name by David Grann, tells tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in Texas for killing his three children after scientific evidence and expert testimony that bolstered his claims of innocence were suppressed. While awaiting his execution on death row, Willingham begins receiving frequent visits from Elizabeth Gilbert, a Houstonian mother of two who takes notice of his case and begins unraveling the flaws from his trial, desperately fighting to save his life, but ultimately failing.
O’Connell, who starred in the Angelina Jolie-helmed war biopic Unbroken, stars as the ultimately doomed Willingham and Dern, who won a Golden Globe and Emmy for her performance in the acclaimed HBO drama Big Little Lies, stars as Gilbert.
Directed by Edward Zwick (Glory, The Last Samurai,Blood Diamond),the film will also star Emily Meade (The Deuce), Jeff Perry (Scandal) and Jade Pettyjohn (School of Rock).
The film, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival last August, is set to hit theaters on May 17.
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