Jessica Biel will soon be revisiting the past. The actress is in negotiations to play singer Anna Tessieri Giro, better known as protege and muse to famous composer Antonio Vivaldi, in “Vivaldi”. Luke Evans, who recently starred in “Clash of the Titans” as Apollo, will portray Vivavldi in the period romance that will reportedly focus on the “love affair” between the two. Written by Kevin Lund and T.J. Scott, the film will dig into the protege/mentor relationship Giro and Vivaldi created, which led to the creation of Vivaldi’s most famous piece of work “The Four Seasons.” Patricia Riggen will direct and produce, along with Micheal Mosca and the project will be selling in the Cannes marketplace.
While we are used to Biel in tabloid fodder with her celebrity boyfriend Justin Timberlake and silly comedies, like this summer’s “A-Team,” it seems her and team would like for her to finally be taken her seriously as an actress. With her role in 2006’s “The Illusionist,” we found out that Biel was much more than just a pretty face, but without a quality follow-up, she seems to be stepping into projects Cameron Diaz would be turning down. Biel is steering clear of easy screen roles, if her upcoming projects are any indication. Last month, Biel signed on for the title role in the screen adaptation of “Mob Girl,” which is based on the true life experiences of former mob mistress turned informant Arlyne Brickman. “An Education” director Lone Scherfig will direct the film, which we can only assume will help Biel’s continued move into dramatic actress territory.
With “Nailed,” the troubled film helmed by David O. Russell, starring Biel, Jake Gyllenhaal, Catherine Keener and James Marsden, not likely to hit screens anytime soon, we think its smart for Biel to continue to pursue interesting fare. That film easily would’ve provided her most intriguing role to date, and Russell certainly has a knack for finding amazing talent in the most unlikeliest of places (ie. Mark Wahlbergh’s hilarious turn in “I Heart Huckabees”). For now, we’ll continue to see what Biel is up to as its likely she’ll find her breakout turn any day now.
