1996, time to kill burst onto the screen and captivated audiences with its gripping courtroom drama and stellar performances. The film, based on John Grisham’s novel, explores complex issues of race, justice and morality in the American South. Now, nearly three decades later, we revisit the talented cast who brought this powerful story to life, exploring their characters and career trajectories.
let’s start…
Features: Jake Brigance is a young, idealistic lawyer who takes on the challenging case of defending Carl Lee Hailey, Carl Lee Hailey was a black man accused of murdering two white men who raped his young daughter. Brigance’s unwavering pursuit of justice, despite personal threats and professional challenges, forms the core of the film’s narrative.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
McConaughey stars in breakout role as Jake Brigance
-
2001: “The Wedding Planner”
established himself as a romantic comedy protagonist
-
2005: “Sahara”
Get into action-adventure
-
2011: “The Lincoln Lawyer”
Return to legal drama, hinting at future drama roles
-
2013: “Dallas Buyers Club”
Oscar-winning performance marks ‘McConnells’
-
2014: “Interstellar Effect”
Consolidating his position as a serious dramatic actor
-
2019: “Gentlemen”
Returns to crime drama, shows versatility
-
2024: Upcoming Grisham Adaptation
Career ends successfully
“‘A Time to Kill’ was the first job where I didn’t feel like a fish out of water. I felt like I was swimming in familiar water.” – Matthew McConaughey
🎬
did you know? McConaughey’s audition for “A Time to Kill” lasted an exhausting 6.5 hours, but director Joel Schumaker was so impressed that he cast him on the spot.
Features: Ellen Roark is a bright and ambitious law student who volunteers to assist Jake Brigance in the defense of Carl Lee Hailey. Her intelligence, dedication, and fresh perspective prove invaluable to the case, while her presence adds a layer of complexity to the team dynamic.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
Showcasing her versatility as Ellen Roark
-
1998: “Hope Floats”
Position yourself as the romantic protagonist
-
2000: “Miss Lovesick”
Become a comedy icon
-
2009: “Weakness”
Won the Oscar for Best Actress
-
2013: “Gravity”
Proving her amazing prowess in a technical masterpiece
-
2018: “Arhat”
Leading an all-female choir
-
2023: “The Lost City”
A return to romantic comedy roots with a modern twist
“A Time to Kill was a pivotal moment for me. It showed that I could handle dramatic roles and hold my own against strong actors.” – Sandra Bullock
💡
did you know? In 1995, just before A Time to Kill was released, Bullock founded his own production company, Fortis Films.
Features: Carl Lee Hailey is a father who went to extremes after his young daughter was brutally raped. His decision to take the law into his own hands by killing his daughter’s attacker sets the stage for the film’s central conflict. Jackson’s portrait is both powerful and nuanced, capturing the pain, anger, and vulnerability of a man fighting for justice in a flawed system.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
Awesome performance as Carl Lee Hailey
-
1999: “Star Wars: Episode I”
Join the iconic series as Mace Windu
-
2000-2019: Marvel Cinematic Universe
Become Nick Fury and appear in multiple movies
-
2006: “Snakes on a Plane”
star of the cult classic that cemented his status as a pop culture icon
-
2015: “The Hateful Eight”
Working with Quentin Tarantino again
-
2022: “The Last Days of Ptolemy Gray”
Presenting his collection in a limited series
-
2024: “For Aggie”
Continue to appear in high-profile action films
“Carl Lee Haley was a challenging role, but it was important to tell the story. I’m still proud of the film today.” — Samuel L. Jackson
😮
did you know? Jackson has appeared in more than 150 films, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
Features: Rufus Buckley is an ambitious and cunning district attorney who prosecutes Carl Lee Haley. Spacey’s portrayal highlighted Buckley’s political ambitions and his willingness to exploit racial tensions to win cases, providing Jake Brigance with a formidable opponent.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
as crooked district attorney rufus buckley
-
1999: “American Beauty”
Won the Oscar for Best Actor
-
2003: “The Life of David Gale”
Play another challenging dramatic role
-
2013-2017: “House of Cards”
Stars of Netflix’s groundbreaking series
-
2017: Career setbacks
Due to allegations of misconduct
-
2022: Legal challenges
Facing legal challenges and career uncertainty
Note: Due to the sensitive nature of recent events, we have chosen to focus on Spacey’s career achievements as of 2017.
Features: Kara Brigance is Jack’s supportive and understanding wife. Her character brings warmth and stability to Jack’s life as he navigates the treacherous waters of this high-profile case. Judd’s performance increases Jack’s personal stakes throughout the trial.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
Shows early promise as Carla Brigance
-
1997: “Kiss the Girl”
breakout lead role in thriller
-
2002: “Frida”
Critically acclaimed supporting role
-
2014-2017: Divergent Series
Join a major teen franchise
-
2017: Becoming a prominent voice
In the #MeToo movement
-
2020: “Betty”
Returning to television in a recurring role
-
2023: Publish memoir
Focus on Activism and Healing
“My role in A Time to Kill may have been small, but it opened doors and showed me the power of storytelling to address important issues.” —Ashley Judd
Features: Lucien Wilbanks is a disbarred attorney and Jack Brigance’s mentor. His experience and cynical wisdom provide Jack with crucial guidance throughout the trial. Sutherland’s portrayal adds gravitas and a touch of rebellion to the legal proceedings.
career trajectory
-
1996: “A Time to Kill”
Mentor Lucian Wilbanks
-
2001-2002: “Crossing Jordan”
recurring tv characters
-
2005: Pride and Prejudice
Memorable supporting role
-
2012-2015: The Hunger Games series
Introducing himself to a new generation as President Snow
-
2017: Received an Honorary Oscar Award
for lifelong achievement
-
2020: “Destruction”
Proving his enduring talent in the critically acclaimed miniseries
-
2024: Died at age 88
leave a rich legacy
“Every character teaches you something. Lucian Wilbanks taught me the complexities of justice and redemption.” – Donald Sutherland
🏆
did you know? Despite his illustrious career, Sutherland has never won a competitive Oscar, which makes his honorary Oscar win in 2017 all the more meaningful.
Recommended reading:
movies past and present
Join us as we take a trip back a few decades to find out about our favorite movies and actors, and give you an update today.
Supporting Characters: Where are they now?
- Oliver Platt (Harry Rex Foner)
Foner is Jack’s loyal friend and fellow lawyer. Pratt continues to have success in television with “The West Wing,” “Roar” and “Chicago Med.”
- Charles S. Dutton (Ozzie Walls)
Walls is the town’s sheriff, dedicated to maintaining order. Dutton later directed episodes of The Practice and starred in The L Word.
- Sutherland (Freddie Lee Cobb)
Cobb is a violent white supremacist. Sutherland achieved great success with “24” and continued to act in television and movies.
- Brenda Fricker (Ethel Twitty)
Twitty is Brigance’s loyal secretary. Flick retired in 2013 after a stellar career.
- Chris Cooper (Vice Dwayne Rooney)
Looney was a deputy caught in the crossfire. Cooper won an Oscar for “Adaptation” and continued his steady career in film and television.
- Octavia Spencer (Rock’s nurse)
Spencer had a small role in the film, went on to win an Oscar for “The Help” and went on to have success in film and television.
Other notable names include:
- Nikki Carter
- M. Emmett Walsh
- Doug Hutcheson
- Kurtwood Smith
- Beth Grant
- Anthony Heald
- Joe Seneca
- Patrick McGoohan
Nearly 30 years after its release, time to kill remains a powerful exploration of race, justice, and morality in America. Its themes continue to resonate in today’s social and political climate, making it a timeless film.
The film launched or promoted the careers of several actors who went on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. It showcased the talents of established actors like Donald Sutherland and Samuel L. Jackson, while giving a platform to up-and-comers like Matthew McConaughey and Sandra Bullock.
when we look back time to killwe’re reminded of the power of storytelling to solve complex problems, and the lasting impact a film can have on the careers of its actors and the consciousness of its audience.
Have your say on our voting site:
Best Pop and Rock Movies Ranked
Vote now! Let’s see which music maestro movies top the list.
FAQ
Q1: What is “A Time to Kill”?
A: “A Time to Kill” is a 1996 “legal drama” adapted from the novel of the same name by John Grisham. The film tells the story of a young lawyer who defends a black man accused of murdering two white men who raped his daughter.
Q2: Who directed “A Time to Kill”?
A: The film is directed by Joel Schumaker.
Q3: Who stars in “A Time to Kill”?
A: The film’s cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey and Donald Sutherland.
Q4: How is the box office performance of “A Time to Kill”?
A: The film was a commercial success, grossing over $152 million worldwide on a budget of $40 million.
Q5: What honors has “A Time to Kill” received?
A: While it received mixed reviews from critics, its performances were praised, especially those of Matthew McConaughey and Samuel L. Jackson.
Q6: How has the cast of “A Time to Kill” evolved over the years?
A: The Rewind Zone articles explore the career trajectories and personal lives of the main actors since the film’s release, detailing their main roles, achievements and transformations.
Q7: What notable projects have the actors been involved in since A Time to Kill?
A:
- Matthew McConaughey Starring in many successful films such as “Dallas Buyers Club” (for which he won an Oscar), “Interstellar” and the TV series “True Detective”.
- Sandra Bullock She won an Oscar for her role in “The Underbelly” and starred in hit films such as “Gravity” and “Bird Box.”
- Samuel Jackson Best known for playing Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Pulp Fiction, among many other films.
- Kevin Spacey Starring in “American Beauty” and “House of Cards” before facing major legal and professional challenges.
- donald sutherland He continued his prolific career with roles in The Hunger Games series and The Undoing.
Q8: Where can I watch “A Time to Kill” now?
Q9: Why is A Time to Kill considered an important film?
A: The film explores serious themes of racial injustice, moral dilemmas, and the legal system, making it a thought-provoking and thought-provoking work that resonates with contemporary social issues.
