Oklahoma-filmed 'Killers of the Flower Moon' finally gets a release date

"Killers of the Flower Moon," Martin Scorsese's epic historical drama filmed in Oklahoma and based on a dark chapter of the state's history, will debut in theaters in the fall.

Filmed in Osage County and the surrounding area in 2021, the iconic filmmaker's fact-based Western will open in theaters in limited release starting Oct. 6, Variety reports.

Produced by Apple Original Films, "Killers of the Flower Moon" will open in wide theatrical release on Oct. 20.

It then will start streaming globally on Apple TV+, although the date of the film's streaming debut has not yet been announced.

Paramount Pictures is teaming with Apple on the eagerly awaited film's theatrical release.

'Killers of the Flower Moon' is based on tragic Oklahoma history

Calling it "a time in American history that should not be forgotten," Scorsese's film is adapted from David Grann's 2017 best-seller “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI."

Like the National Book Award finalist, the film will chronicle the slayings of Osage Nation citizens in 1920s Oklahoma, after the oil boom made them wealthy. The killings became known as the "Reign of Terror" and led to an investigation by the then-fledgling FBI.

"I know that books can reach a certain number of people, but a movie and a movie of this caliber and size and level of talent ... can help really reach a lot of others and, hopefully, ensure that this history is part of our consciousness," Grann told The Oklahoman in a 2021 interview.

"Obviously, the Osage knew their history ... but there were so many people — and I include myself amongst them — who were just really ignorant of this, because it wasn't something we grew up hearing about or was taught in our classes. So, I hope it's just going to expand that knowledge."

Expected Oscar contender stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro

"Killers of the Flower Moon" is expected to be a major contender in the coming cinematic awards season, with multiple trade publications reporting that the film may launch its anticipated Oscar campaign this year with a big premiere at one of the major global film festivals like Cannes or Venice.

Directed by Scorsese, a revered filmmaker and Academy Award winner for "The Departed," it is adapted for the screen by Scorsese and Eric Roth, an Oscar winner for his screenplay for "Forrest Gump."

The cast includes established Oscar winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, new Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser, Oscar nominees Jesse Plemons and John Lithgow and Americana music stars Jason Isbell and Sturgill Simpson.

The film also will star several rising Native American actors, including Lily Gladstone, Cara Jade Myers, JaNae Collins, Tatanka Means and Tantoo Cardinal.

"Hopefully, it will be good for launching some of those careers as well ... but to have Scorsese, De Niro and DiCaprio, those are heavy hitters," said Jeffrey Moore, executive director of the under-construction OKPOP Museum in Tulsa.

"With this movie, I think people are going to learn about Oklahoma that probably had no idea of anything about Oklahoma. It's going to open a lot of eyes to Oklahoma's very unique history."

Scorsese film has 'the potential to be a game-changer' for Oklahoma

With its reported budget of at least $200 million, its star-studded cast and its renowned director, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is believed to be the biggest movie production ever undertaken in Oklahoma.

"I think it has the potential to be a game-changer," Moore said. "'Killers of the Flower Moon' is really tackling a very serious and important piece of Oklahoma history, and to have the names on the creative side that are attached to it is phenomenal. And I really think it's gonna have a huge impact on the state."

"Killers of the Flower Moon” is coming to theaters as Oklahoma’s film industry has been experiencing notable growth and legislators are considering expanding the state film incentive.

“Our tribal, state and city leadership all played a critical role in supporting the production of ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ in Oklahoma. With respect to the historical events it’s based on, we look forward to the film’s theatrical release,” Oklahoma Film + Music Office Director Jeanette Stanton said in an email to The Oklahoman.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Filmed in Oklahoma, 'Killers of the Flower Moon' is coming to theaters