Olivia Colman is set to star in Sam Mendes’ new original film Empire Of Light

Olivia Colman is set to star in Sam Mendes’ new original film Empire Of Light which he has penned without a co-writer for the FIRST time

Olivia Colman is set to star in Empire of Light, Sam Mendes’ new original film which he has penned without a co-writer for the first time.

The actress, 47, has entered into discussions for a starring role in the upcoming romance movie, which the director, 55, is filming for Searchlight Pictures, it was revealed on Tuesday. 

Sam also wrote the film and this marks the first time he’s penned a screenplay without a co-writer – his Oscar-nominated film 1917 was written alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns.

Exciting: Olivia Colman is set to star in Sam Mendes’ new original film Empire Of Light which he has penned without a co-writer for the FIRST time, it was announced on Tuesday

While plot details remains tightly under wraps, it is known the production is a love story ‘set around a beautiful old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s’, and it is unclear which character Colman is going to be playing.

Mendes is producing Empire of Light alongside Pippa Harris through his Neal Street Productions, and he will also reunite with his longtime cinematographer Roger Deakins on the production.

Aiming to release the film in late 2022, Sam said in a statement: ‘I have long been an admirer of Searchlight and the dynamic way they have produced and released some of my favourite theatrical releases of recent years. 

‘This project is very close to my heart, and I couldn’t be more delighted that it has found its ideal home.’

Drama: While plot details remain under wraps, it is known the film is a love story 'set around an old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s' (Mendes pictured in January 2020)

Drama: While plot details remain under wraps, it is known the film is a love story ‘set around an old cinema on the South Coast of England in the 1980s’ (Mendes pictured in January 2020)

The project will be overseen at Searchlight by presidents of production, film and television, Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum, as well as head of development and production at Searchlight Pictures UK, Katie Goodson-Thomas. 

Greenfield and Greenbaum added in a statement: ‘Sam has written an exquisite cinematic drama that captured our hearts from page one. 

‘He is a masterful filmmaker, and we look forward to working with him, Pippa, and Roger and to reunite with the great Olivia on this truly special film.’

Flying solo: Mendes said the film 'is very close to my heart' after writing it on his own, his Oscar-nominated film 1917 (pictured) was penned alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns

Flying solo: Mendes said the film ‘is very close to my heart’ after writing it on his own, his Oscar-nominated film 1917 (pictured) was penned alongside Krysty Wilson-Cairns

As of the time of writing, there have been no other casting announcements for the production.  

Olivia, who is known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown’s third and fourth seasons, is currently hard at work on a new Sky drama that sees her portray killer Susan Edwards, and David Thewlis plays her husband and accomplice Christopher.

The production is a family affair as the four-part drama, called Landscapers, is the first television screenplay written by Olivia’s husband Ed Sinclair. 

Susan and Christopher Edwards were jailed for life after shooting her parents in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, in 1998 and burying them in the garden, where they lay undiscovered for 15 years.

The couple pretended their victims were still alive while looting £250,000 of their savings and pensions to buy Hollywood memorabilia – including Gary Cooper’s autographs. 

Friends assumed the slain couple had gone travelling and never returned, with their killers forging Christmas cards to keep up the pretence. They gave themselves in after the bodies were found in 2013.

Changing it up: Olivia, who is known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown (pictured), is currently hard at work on a new Sky drama that sees her portray killer Susan Edwards

Changing it up: Olivia, who is known for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown (pictured), is currently hard at work on a new Sky drama that sees her portray killer Susan Edwards