GIFTED Trailer

Spandex can only take up so much of your time, which means even the major superhero players occasionally do smaller films. That’s how something like Gifted comes to be, a touchy-feely Fox Searchlight offering from a falling director and a massive star.

Marc Webb previously worked with Fox Searchlight for his debut feature (500) Days of Summer. After that success, he jumped into and floundered in The Amazing Spiderman series, which was aborted after the second entry. Webb now finds himself in familiar territory, manning a dramedy full of quips and heart that’s intended as counterprogramming to the blockbuster behemoths.

Chris Evans, on the other hand, is merely on break from his Captain America gig. He’s already squeezed in five non-MCU films since taking up the shield (one of which he directed), and this one looks like it will continue to add variety to his filmography.

In lieu of superheroes and love interests, Evans is paired with now ten-year-old Mckenna Grace, who plays a niece with mad math skills. While many advise him to put her in a program for the gifted, Evans’ Frank struggles to follow the desires of his deceased sister.

Failure may not trigger the end of the world, but the stakes are still plenty high in Gifted. The film will open against Fast 8, which vehemently took up the mantle of ‘loud family drama’ in its last entry. If you’re looking for one a lot quieter, Gifted looks like it will fit the bill.

Gifted is directed by Marc Webb and stars Chris Evans, Mckenna Grace, and Jenny Slate. It will be released in the U.S. on April 12th, 2017 and in the U.K. on June 16th, 2017. For international release dates, click here.

Do you think Gifted will find an audience? Let us know in the comments!