Richard Gere looks back (in time) to Jacob Elordi in first Oh, Canada trailer

“You don’t know any of it,” Fife tells his wife and artistic partner, Emma (Uma Thurman), before launching into his tale. Jacob Elordi stars as a young Fife in the filmmaker’s flashbacks, as he recalls the thornier aspects of running to Montreal to evade the Vietnam draft, marrying, having a child, getting divorced, and eventually becoming a celebrated artist. “His successes are held up against his failings and, as the man is cleansed of the myth, Leonard must confront what is left,” the film’s synopsis reads.

While Gere signed onto the film first, Schrader was quick to nab Elordi just based on his performance in Euphoria alone. (The younger actor hadn’t yet starred in Saltburn or Priscilla.) “We got him (Elordi) for a dime and nickel for that reason,” Schrader told The Hollywood Reporter last month. “I didn’t need a name. I had Richard and that was enough. But I saw his performance on Zoom and, if this was 40 years ago, this is the guy I would have cast for American Gigolo.” 

Oh, Canada premieres December 8 in theaters.