May 24, 2012 (Cannes Film Festival)
October 5, 2012 (United States)
The Paperboy is a 2012 American crime drama film co-written and directed by Lee Daniels and based on Pete Dexter's 1995 novel of the same name. It follows Miami reporter Ward Jansen who returns to his hometown in Florida to investigate a racial murder case involving a death row inmate. The film stars Matthew McConaughey, Zac Efron, John Cusack, Nicole Kidman and David Oyelowo.
The film was produced by Daniels, Hilary Shor, Avi Lerner, Ed Cathell III, and Cassian Elwes. It premiered at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2012 and October 5, 2012 worldwide. It grossed $102,706 in its opening weekend and $3.8 million worldwide, against a budget of $12.5 million, making it a box office bomb. Despite its mixed reviews, Kidman's performance drew Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.