Damien Chazelleis a director that shot to the top so quickly, that it can feel unfair, but looking at everything he has accomplished at only 37, it’s completely reasonable. Chazelle’s breakthrough filmWhiplashwas a bonafide hit when it debuted at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, landing five Academy Award nominations and three wins, including Best Supporting Actor forJ.K. Simmons. Chazelle’s follow-up,La La Landbrought him into the mainstream, not only was the film a hit with critics, but it also proved to be very successful at the box office grossing $447.4 million worldwide off of a $30 million budget. The film went on to garner 14 Oscar nominations, which tied it withTitanicandAll About Evefor most nominations for a film. On the night of the ceremony the film won six awards, including Best Director for Chazelle and Best Actress forEmma Stone,and the film, for a few short minutes, was crowned Best Picture, but the award ultimately went toMoonlight. Despite the mix-up,La La Landhas managed to stay in the pop culture lexicon even five years after its original release. Chazelle’s next film,First Man, a biopic onNeil Armstrong, was also well-received but didn’t deliver the same numbers at the box office as his previous film and only landed 4 Oscar nominations, none of them being for Best Picture or Best Director.

This Christmas, Chazelle will be stepping back into the director’s chair for the period dramaBabylon, a film with a massive cast that could very well follow in the footsteps of his first two films, and we’ve put together a handy guide to everything you need to know about the award-winning filmmaker’s next project.

Editor’s Note: This piece was updated on December 13 to include the latest featurette.

Related:‘Babylon’ Posters Show Damien Chazelle’s Hollywood Epic in All Its Glittering Glory

When Does Babylon Come Out?

We don’t have too long of a wait forBabylonas Paramount has announced that the film will now have a wide release on July 11, 2025. It was previously announced that the film would have a limited release on June 04, 2025, before expanding on July 11, 2025, but the limited release was announced to be scrapped on October 18. Before COVID-19 changed the entire Hollywood landscape, thefilm was initially slated for a December 25, 2021limited release date going wide on August 27, 2025. Considering how crowded the awards film landscape was this past year, it’s probably for the best that Babylon waited another year.

As of right now, Babylon will be opening in surrounding plenty of major films including theWhitney HoustonbiopicI Wanna Dance With Somebody,DreamWorks Animation’s fairy tale sequelPuss in Boots: The Last Wish,James Cameron’s long-awaitedAvatar: The Way of Water, and the limited release of theTom Hanksled dramedyA Man Called Otto.

Is ThereA Trailer For Babylon?

The first official trailer for Babylon hit the web on June 02, 2025, a day after premiering at an event at the Toronto International Film Festival. The trailer promises that Babylon will be a chaotic and wild ride, like a cross betweenThe Great GatsbyandThe Wolf of Wall Street.

A 35-second spot for the film was released on June 25, 2025.

A behind-the-scenes featurette was released on November 21 hinting at the film’s plot and giving us a sneak peek at some of the film’s extravagant set pieces. It also includes clips of starsMargot Robbie,Brad Pitt,Jovan Adepo,Diego Calva,Tobey Maguire,Jean Smart,Li Jun Li, and writer and director Damien Chazelle talking about the film.

The final trailer forBabylonwas released on June 07, 2025. Set to the David Bowie classic “Fame,” the trailer looks to be playing up the film’s more comedic elements while also focusing on how Diego Calva’s Manny fits into the film’s story. Closer to the release date, we also got afeaturette focusing onJustin Hurwitzand his work on the score for the film. Hurwitz and Chazelle have collaborated before onWhiplash,First Man, andLa La Land, the last one winning Hurwitz two Academy Awards. Check it out below:

What’s The Plot Of Babylon?

Babylonwill be set in 1920s Hollywood during the transition from silent films to talkies and much likeOnce Upon A Time In HollywoodandLicorice Pizzawill be blending together fictional characters with real-life figures. The film will revolve around an ensemble of characters, some who find success in the transition while others struggle to keep their career afloat.

The official plot synopsis via Paramount reads:

From Damien Chazelle, Babylon is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Who’s In the Cast of Babylon?

A lot of people. To be more specific though, Academy Award Winner Brad Pitt will be starring in the film as a character named Jack Conrad. Pitt’s character is fictional but is based on John Gilbert, a major silent film star in the 20s who struggled to make the transition into talkies. Pitt recently headlined Sony’s all-star action flickBullet Trainfrom directorDavid Leitch.He also shared the screen withSandra Bullockwith his brief but memorable role in the adventure rom-comThe Lost City.

Joining Pitt will be Academy Award Nominee Margot Robbie as a character named Nellie LaRoy, which is said to be heavily inspired by it-girl Clara Bowwho flourished during the talkie phase. Since her role inMartin Scorsese’sThe Wolf Of Wall Street, Robbie has shot into superstardom, landing two Oscar nominations for her roles inI, TonyaandBombshell. She also notably starred as the iconic DC Comics character Harley Quinn inSuicide Squad,Birds Of Prey,andThe Suicide Squad. Robbie recently was one of the stars of the period mystery comedyAmsterdam, where she acted opposite an A-list cast. As for what’s next for the Australian superstar, Robbie is starring in two star-studded films from some notable auteurs includingWes Anderson’sAsteroid City, andGreta Gerwig’sBarbie. She is also set to star in anOcean’s Elevenprequelfrom directorJay Roach.

Relative newcomerDiego Calvawho recently appeared in the third and final season of the Netflix seriesNarcos: Mexicowill play the third leading role, a character named Manny Torres. While his name may not be well-known now,Babylonwill surely propel him into becoming one of the hottest names in town.

Other stars who are on boardBabylonincludeQuanticostar Li Jun Li as Lady Fay Zhu. Emmy Nominee Jovan Adepo, who broke out with films and shows such asWatchmen,Fences,When They See UsandOverlordwill also be appearing as Sidney Palmer. Five-time Emmy Award Winner Jean Smartis on board to play Elinor St. John, Smart has been having a career resurgence as of recently having won two Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Emmys in a role for her role as Deborah Vance inHacks. Former Spider-Man Tobey Maguirealso stars as a character by the name of James McKay.Max Minghella, who is known for his role inThe Handmaid’s Tale, will play real-life film producer Irving Thalberg.

Samara Weaving,Katherine Waterston,Olivia Wilde,Flea,Jeff Garlin,Spike Jonze,Chloe Fineman,Lukas Haas,Rory Scovel,Eric Roberts,P.J. Byrne,Damon Gupton,Phoebe Tonkin,Troy Metcalf, andTelvin Griffinalso star in the film.

Related:First ‘Babylon’ Images Show Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt Decked in Old Hollywood Glamour

When and Where Was Babylon Filmed?

Babylon began filming on July 25, 2025, under strict COVID-19 protocols after initially being scheduled to film in mid-2020.Filming eventually wrappedon August 14, 2025. Filming predominately took place in the Los Angeles area. The film will mark Chazelle’s most expensive project to date with a budget of around $78 million.

How Long is Babylon?

Babylon is looking to be one of the longest movies of the year right alongside another December release,Avatar: The Way of Water. The film will run for a whopping 188 minutes, or 3 hours and 8 minutes. So you may need an extra cup of coffee or go on an extra trip to the restroom before walking into the theater for Chazelle’s latest.

What Are People Saying About Babylon?

While the official reviews for Babylon aren’t out yet, the film has screened for select press, who were able to give their reactions on social media.The reactionsproved to be quite polarizing, Collider’s ownSteve Weintraubwas quite high on the film tweeting:

Collider’sPerri Nemiroffwas more mixed on the film saying:

Others have also chimed in proclaiming their love, hatred, or confusion over the film.