And just like that, another Oscar contender has stepped into the ring. The first trailer for Gus Van Sant’s Promised Land has premiered today via Apple, and not only does it find Van Sant reteaming with Good Will Hunting star Matt Damon, but it also appears to be taking on a heavy-hitting political topic. This movie was originally supposed to be Matt Damon’s directorial debut, but he was forced to drop out due to time constraints.

Damon plays a salesman for a natural gas company who, along with his partner (Frances McDormand), is sent in to buy land from the residents of a small town in economic decline. Their job gets a lot more difficult, however, when they start to butt heads with a local activist (John Krasinski). Krasinski co-wrote the script with Damon and it seems interesting in that it tells the story from the perspective of the assumed villains. Overall the movie looks well-made, but maybe a little dull and predictable. Promised Land hits select theatres on Dec. 28th; check out the trailer after the jump and let us know what you think.