Six years after they both shared the screen in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain have signed on to play rivals in Mothers’ Instinct.
The film is being shopped at the American Film Market by the European financier Anton, with Olivier Masset-Depasse directing this English-language adaptation of his 2018 Belgian movie Duelles, according to Deadline.
The original film won a record nine Magritte Awards from the Belgian Academy including Best Film and Best Director.
Reunited: Six years after they both shared the screen in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain have signed on to play rivals in Mothers’ Instinct
The project is adapted from the 2012 novel Derriere le Haine (Behind the Hatred) by Barbara Abel, with the story set in the 1960s.
The story centers on best friends and neighbors Alice (Chastain) and Celine (Hathaway), who both live a traditional, idyllic lifestyle, each with successful husbands and sons the same age.
However, both of their lives are turned upside down by tragedy as their sisterly bond fades and gives way to a psychological war of wits.
Best friends: The story centers on best friends and neighbors Alice (Chastain) and Celine (Hathaway), who both live a traditional, idyllic lifestyle, each with successful husbands and sons the same age
Masset-Depasse will direct from a script by Sarah Conradt (50 States of Fright), adapted from the Abel novel.
Chastain will also produce through her Freckle Films company (The 355) with her partner Kelly Carmichael, alongside Paul Nelson at Mosaic and Jacques-Henri Bronckart.
Anton will fully finance and produce the film, though it’s unclear when filming may begin.
Director: Masset-Depasse will direct from a script by Sarah Conradt (50 States of Fright), adapted from the Abel novel
Star-producer: Chastain will also produce through her Freckle Films company (The 355) with her partner Kelly Carmichael, alongside Paul Nelson at Mosaic and Jacques-Henri Bronckart
‘It takes actors of Jessica and Anne’s caliber to communicate the intricacy of these two roles,’ said director Masset-Depasse in a statement.
‘The relationship between a mother and child is the most powerful connection between two human beings,’ the director added.
‘When this bond is severed, it calls into question conventional morality and even sanity. In the behind-closed-doors atmosphere of 1960’s America, Mothers’ Instinct becomes a terrifying, high-pressure powder keg,’ the director concluded.
Actresses: ‘It takes actors of Jessica and Anne’s caliber to communicate the intricacy of these two roles,’ said director Masset-Depasse in a statement
Anton Founder and CEO, Sébastien Raybaud added, ‘Audiences could not wish for a more dynamic match-up on screen.’
‘Both character roles are wonderfully complex and will showcase Jessica and Anne’s incredible breadth of talent,’ he added.
‘Olivier has already proven adept at this twist on the Hitchcockian genre and we have great faith in his ability to deliver a compelling thriller,’ the financier/producer concluded.
Actresses: Anton Founder and CEO, Sébastien Raybaud added, ‘Audiences could not wish for a more dynamic match-up on screen’
Hathaway can currently be seen on HBO Max’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, and she’s filming Lockdown with Ben Stiller and Mindy Kaling.
Chastain most recently starred as the title character in Ava for director Tate Taylor, and she stars in and produces the upcoming female-driven action-thriller The 355, debuting in January.
She is also attached to play Tammy Faye Baker in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and another famous Tammy, Tammy Wynette, in George and Tammy.
Title character: Chastain most recently starred as the title character in Ava for director Tate Taylor, and she stars in and produces the upcoming female-driven action-thriller The 355, debuting in January
Roles: Hathaway can currently be seen on HBO Max’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches, and she’s filming Lockdown with Ben Stiller and Mindy Kaling