English thespian John Hurt has joined the cast of Lars Von Trier’s psychological disaster film, “Melancholia.” He rounds out a cast that already includes Kirsten Dunst, Kiefer Sutherland, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Charlotte Rampling, Udo Kier, plus father and son actors Alexander and Stellan Skarsgård.
Hurt of course narrated the first two parts of the U.S.A “Land of Opportunities” series that Von Trier directed which included, “Dogville,” and “Manderlay” (a third film was eventually scrapped).
This apparently concludes the casting of the film which begins its Sweden-based production in July. While details are under wraps other than it’s a “beautiful film about the end of the world,” it seems clear that the picture starts out with another planet entering the Earth’s orbit, which threatens to destroy the planet. Worldwide panic presumably ensues as all hell breaks loose after that.
It’s been called “sci-fi-ish” by some, but with a $7.5 million dollar budget, we expect effects to be minimal and for it to have a more “28 Days Later,” apocalyptic, end-of-days vibe. The film evidently hopes to vie for a 2011 Cannes competition slot. Book your flight now. [THR]
