The true story of how a blacklisted screenwriter took on the power structures of both Washington and Hollywood is retold in Director Jay Roach’s historical drama, Trumbo.
Roach’s film traces the life of 1940s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo (Bryan Cranston), who achieved the pinnacle of success as Hollywood’s top screenwriter only to have it all come crashing down after he and other artists earned the wrath of anti-Communist forces by their refusal to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Jailed for contempt of Congress and blacklisted by the studios, the film reveals how they fought to continue their work.
Following the DGA membership screening in New York on November 1, Trumbo’s star, Director Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), sat down with Roach to discuss the challenges of recreating this turbulent period of Hollywood history. Roach and Cranston teamed up again to discuss the film following the DGA membership screening in Los Angeles on November 22.
In addition to Trumbo, Roach’s filmography includes the feature films Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Meet the Parents, Dinner for Schmucks, The Campaign; the movie for television Earth to America; and the pilot for the television series The Brink. Roach won DGA Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series for his 2008 film Recount and his 2012 film Game Change. He has been a member of the DGA since 1996.