FAN REVIEWS HAS AN AWESOME NEW LOOK! br br br Check out our Fan Reviews of Water for Elephants (2011) starring Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz, and Hal Holbrook! br br Water for Elephants Release Date: April 22, 2011 br br Water for Elephants is a 2011 American romantic drama film directed by Francis Lawrence. Richard LaGravenese wrote the screenplay, which was based on Sara Gruen's 2006 novel of the same name. It stars Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz.