Hail, Caesar! (2016) (2025)

Hail, Caesar! is a 2016 period black comedy film written, produced, edited, and directed by the brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. An American-British co-production, the film stars Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, and Channing Tatum, with Michael Gambon as the narrator. It is a fictional story that follows the real-life studio fixer Eddie Mannix (Brolin), working in the Hollywood film industry in the 1950s, trying to discover what happened to a star actor during the filming of a biblical epic.

First talked about by the Coens in 2004, Hail, Caesar! was originally to take place in the 1920s and follow actors performing a play about ancient Rome. The Coens shelved the idea until late-2013. Principal photography for the film began in November 2014 in Los Angeles, California. The film premiered at the Regency Village Theater in Los Angeles on February 1, 2016, and was theatrically released by Universal Pictures on February 5.

Hail, Caesar! grossed $63 million worldwide on a $22 million budget and received positive reviews from critics. The film was chosen by National Board of Review as one of the top ten films of 2016, and received Production Design nominations at the 89th Academy Awards and 70th British Academy Film Awards.

Shooting[]

• Filming was from November 10th, 2014 - February of 2015.

Cast[]

• Josh Brolin - Eddie Mannix
• George Clooney - Baird Whitlock
• Alden Ehrenreich - Hobart 'Hobie' Doyle
• Ralph Fiennes - Laurence Laurentz
• Scarlett Johansson - DeeAnna Moran
• Tilda Swinton - Thora Thacker / Thessaly Thacker
• Channing Tatum - Burt Gurney
• Frances McDormand - C. C. Calhoun
• Jonah Hill - Joe Silverman
• Veronica Osorio - Carlotta Valdez
• Heather Goldenhersh - Natalie, the Secretary
• Alison Pill - Mrs. Connie Mannix
• Max Baker - Head Communist Screenwriter
• Fisher Stevens - Communist Screenwriter
• Patrick Fischler - Benedict, Communist Screenwriter
• Tom Musgrave - Communist Screenwriter
• David Krumholtz - Communist Screenwriter
• Greg Baldwin - Communist Screenwriter
• Patrick Carroll - Communist Screenwriter
• Fred Melamed - Communist Screenwriter
• John Bluthal - Prof. Herbert Marcuse
• Alex Karpovsky - Mr. Smitrovich
• Aramazd Stepanian - Eastern Orthodox Clergyman
• Allan Havey - Protestant Clergyman
• Robert Pike Daniel - Catholic Clergyman
• Robert Picardo - Rabbi
• Ian Blackman - Mr. Cuddahy
• Geoffrey Cantor - Sid Siegelstein
• Christopher Lambert - Arne Seslum
• Robert Trebor - Producer of 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ'
• Michael Yama - Chinese Restaurant Maître d'
• Ming Zhao - Chinese Restaurant Waitress
• Helen Siff - Malibu Maid
• Basil Hoffman - Stu Schwartz of Accounting
• Luke Spencer Roberts - 'Peanut'
• Ralph P. Martin - Director of Action Western
• James Austin Johnson - Studio Assistant at Action Western
• Noah Baron - Water Ballet P.A.
• Timm Perry - Stage 8 Man at the Door
• Noel Conlon - Scotty at the Gate
• Natasha Bassett - Gloria DeLamour
• Richard Abraham - French Postcard Photographer
• Jon Daly - Cop at French Postcard House
• Dennis Cockrum - Cop at French Postcard House
• Clancy Brown - Gracchus in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ'
• Mather Zickel - Chunk Mulligan
• Tiffany Lonsdale - Ursulina in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ'
• Clement von Franckenstein - Senator Sestimus Amydias in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ'
• Wayne Knight - Lurking Extra
• Jeff Lewis - Lurking Extra
• Kyle Bornheimer - Extras A.D.
• Josh Cooke - Box Breakfast A.D.
• Peter Jason - Director
• Stephen Ellis - Clapper Boy
• Jillian Armenante - Script Girl
• Jacob Witkin - Saul of Tarsus in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ'
• Jack Huston - Cad in Cab
• Agyness Deyn - Woman in Cab
• Emily Beecham - Dierdre in 'Merrily We Dance'
• Benjamin Beatty - Clapper Boy
• J.R. Horne - Curly in 'Lazy Ol' Moon'
• Caitlin Muelder - Cookhouse Woman in 'Lazy Ol' Moon'
• E.E. Bell - Bartender in Musical
• Kate Morgan Chadwick - Departing Woman
• Brian Michael Jones - Sailor
• Peter Banifaz - Sailor
• Clifton Samuels - Sailor #3 / Dancer #2
• K.C. Reischerl - Sailor (as KC Reischerl)
• Michael Gambon - Narrator (voice)

Dancers[]

• Jeremy Davis
• Marcos Mateo Ochoa
• Colin Bradbury
• Ryan Breslin
• Tyler Hanes
• Casey Garvin
• Luke Hawkins
• Evan Kasprzak
• Patrick Lavallee
• Adam Perry
• Ryan Vandenboom
• Alex Demkin
• Dax Hock
• Shesha Marvin
• Mark Stuart
• Forrest Walsh

Rest of cast listed alphabetically:

• Wesley Alfvin - Sailor (uncredited)
• Cate Allen - Brown Derby Swing Dancer (uncredited)
• Bryson Jones Allman - Office Worker (uncredited)
• David M. Austin - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Ethan Averton - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Pedro Barquin - Pedro, The Gardener (uncredited)
• Josiah Black - Electrician (uncredited)
• Bill Blair - Trumpet Player in Club Orchestra (uncredited)
• Nuno Branco - Todd (uncredited)
• John Paul Brandt - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Joshua Bray - 'Merrily We Dance' Crew Member (uncredited)
• Dustin Brayley - Sailor (uncredited)
• Deven Bromme - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Brian Brown - Bad Guy #2 (uncredited)
• Greg Brown - Dancer (uncredited)
• Stephen Brown - Dolly Grip / Actor (uncredited)
• William Paul Brown - Riding Bad Guy #2 (uncredited)
• G. Larry Butler - Studio Scuba Diver (uncredited)
• Will C. - Tuba Player in Club Orchestra (uncredited)
• James Jeffery Caldwell - Communist Screenwriter (uncredited)
• Craig Calman - Capitol Pictures Film Crew Member (uncredited)
• Victor Canache - Israelite (uncredited)
• Diana Care - Swimmer (uncredited)
• David Castro - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Julia Cavanaugh - Smoking Party Guest (uncredited)
• Owen Conway - Strike Crewman (uncredited)
• Cole Cook - Boom Operator (uncredited)
• David Cox - Roman Citizen (uncredited)
• Wil Crown - Roman Guard (uncredited)
• Andre Be Cuellar - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Callen David - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Michael DeBartolo - Lighting Technician (uncredited)
• Gretchen Dickason - Studio Secretary (uncredited)
• Alon Dina - Israelite (uncredited)
• David Enoch Dixon - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• David Donah - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Denny Dormody - Studio Sound Man (uncredited)
• Michael Edelstein - Hobie's Driver (uncredited)
• Alan Ehrlich - JD Producer (uncredited)
• Dean England - Animal Handler (uncredited)
• Cathy Fielding - Legal Secretary (uncredited)
• Kerrington Fier - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Sam Fleming - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Jessee Foudray - Jonah's Daughter Harpist (uncredited)
• Emmy Frevele - Party Guest in Red (uncredited)
• Jayk Gallagher - Man With Cigarette (uncredited)
• Sean Galuszka - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Christopher Gattelli - Choreographer (uncredited)
• Ryan George - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Zach Gibson - Israelite (uncredited)
• David M. Goldman - Israelite (uncredited)
• Robert Goldman - Frankie (uncredited)
• Steven Alan Green - Israelite (uncredited)
• James Gregory - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Caitlin Hall - Film Crew Member, 'Merrily We Dance' (uncredited)
• Alex Halpern - Roman Solider (uncredited)
• Josh Harp - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Rod Harrel - Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• Chris Harrison - Goon (uncredited)
• Jeffrey M. Hartman - Roman Legionnaire / Brown Derby Patron (uncredited)
• Kevin Hawley - Seedy Passerby (uncredited)
• Eric H. Heisner - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Ben Hicks - Grip (uncredited)
• Rich Hill - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Niklas Houmann - Roman Centurion (uncredited)
• Teniel Humeston - Roman Noblewoman (uncredited)
• Phillip Hunter - Last Call Electrician (uncredited)
• Ryan Izay - 'Merrily We Dance' Performer (uncredited)
• Matthew William Jones - Jason West (uncredited)
• Richard Allan Jones - Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• Larry Justice - Waltz Dancer (uncredited)
• Meggan Kaiser - Swing Dancer (uncredited)
• Tomoko Karina - Imperial Garden Waitress (uncredited)
• Sergio Kato - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Derek Kelly - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• David Dustin Kenyon - Camera Operator (uncredited)
• Rebecca Kessler - Israelite (uncredited)
• Max Kronick - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Julia Kuzina - Dancer (uncredited)
• Aimee La Joie - Brown Derby Patron (uncredited)
• Suzanne LaChasse - Swimmer (uncredited)
• Todd Carlton Lanker - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Ian Jesse Lasky - Office Worker (uncredited)
• Kristin Lee - Swing Dancer (uncredited)
• Travis Leland - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Erik Leupp - Waiter (uncredited)
• Jeffrey S. Levine - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• John Lobato - Drunk (uncredited)
• Howard M. Lockie - 1940s News Guy (uncredited)
• Matt Lovell - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Michael Lovern - Roman Nobleman (uncredited)
• John Luder - Stagehand (uncredited)
• Dolph Lundgren - Soviet Submarine Commander (uncredited)
• Pamela Lundquist - Premiere Patron (uncredited)
• Laura Lyman - Harpist (uncredited)
• Sandy Mansson - Israelite (uncredited)
• Reed Marvin - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Mitchell McCollum - Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• Megan McIver - Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
• Carl Bird McLaughlin - Bee Smoker (uncredited)
• Lauren Mendoza - Cigarette Girl (uncredited)
• Weston Mueller - Set Crew #1 (uncredited)
• Michael Belmont Murray - Roman Cavalry Officer (uncredited)
• William Myers - Brown Derby Patron (uncredited)
• Bulat Nasibullin - House Slave (uncredited)
• Brett Newton - Sailor (uncredited)
• Paul O'Brien - Priest (uncredited)
• Rhoads Osbourne - Nobleman (uncredited)
• Tommy Otis - Accountant Extra (uncredited)
• Johnny Otto - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Vasilios Papadamakis - Roman Nobleman (uncredited)
• Brian Nicholas Perez - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Hayley Podschun - Last Call Girl (uncredited)
• Harlan Post - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• John Potter - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Bekka Prewitt - 'Merrily We Dance' Performer (uncredited)
• Ardeshir Radpour - Roman Cavalry Officer (uncredited)
• Karen Ragan-George - 'Merrily We Dance' Performer (uncredited)
• Christian Ramirez - Roman Cavalry Officer (uncredited)
• Paige Ramsey - Swimmer (uncredited)
• Lawrence Ravettina - Brown Derby Diner (uncredited)
• Michael Ray - Roman Soldier (uncredited)
• Catherine Roberts - Roman Noblewoman (uncredited)
• Joshua Rodriguez - Crew Guy #2 (uncredited)
• Madison Rose - Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
• Paul Mitchell Rosenblum - Producer (uncredited)
• Mark Rossignol - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Brett Ryback - Sailor (uncredited)
• Nicolas Schilling - Roman Boy (uncredited)
• James Schneider - Tenor Saxophonist in Dinner Club (uncredited)
• Lisa Y. Sheeler - Roman Noblewoman (uncredited)
• Jason Shoemaker - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Sky Cameron Siegel - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Rick Silver - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Aníbal Silveyra - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Matthew Skomo - Strike Crew (uncredited)
• Kirk Smith - Roman Legionnaire (uncredited)
• Terry F. Smith - Seedy Downtown Guy (uncredited)
• Mark Stepanek - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Stewart Strauss - Christian Slave (uncredited)
• Trevor Strenn - Roman Officer (uncredited)
• Bogdan Szumilas - Antonius in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ' (uncredited)
• Diane Taren - Israelite (uncredited)
• Adele Heather Taylor - 'Merrily We Dance' Performer (uncredited)
• Sam Towers - Will (uncredited)
• Paul Uhler - Movie Studio Executive (uncredited)
• Christopher del Valle - Israelite (uncredited)
• Bianca Von Krieg - Israelite (uncredited)
• Ana Vukicevic - Dancer (uncredited)
• V.P. Walling - General Antonius in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ' (uncredited)
• Brandon Wardell - Wiseman in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ' (uncredited)
• Marshall Watson - Communist Screenwriter (uncredited)
• Mike Watson - Jesus in 'Hail, Caesar!: A Tale of the Christ' (uncredited)
• Seth Wayne - Brown Derby Diner (uncredited)
• Jim Westcott - Dancer (uncredited)
• Boriana Williams - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Richard Williams - Roman Slave (uncredited)
• Joseph Wilson - Teamster (uncredited)
• Jon Wolff - Israelite (uncredited)
• Karen E. Wright - Ms. Dame Swinger (uncredited)

Gallery[]

• Hail, Caesar! extras gallery