After Sydney Sweeney, coming off the box office hit “The Housemaid,” stepped in to replace Florence Pugh (she previously exited) in the turn-of-the-century tragicomedy film “Custom of the Country,” they’ve now tapped actor Leo Woodall (“Nuremberg”) to take a leading role opposite Sweeney in the pic hailing from StudioCanal and Rabbit’s Foot Films, according to Deadline.
This new film is, of course, based on the Edith Wharton novel of the same name, published in 1913, and is directed by Josie Rourke, with a script by Rourke. Interestingly, both actors had played characters on Mike White’s acclaimed and award-winning HBO Max series “The White Lotus.”
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The original novel chronicles Undine Sragg’s relentless ascent through American and European high society, revealing the costs of her insatiable desires.
A logline of sorts mentioned in the casting report:
“Undine Spragg (Sweeney), a fiercely ambitious woman from the Midwest, strives for the social heights of turn-of-the-century New York. Armed with beauty, daring/hustle, and sheer force of will/unwavering ambition, Undine battles an entrenched elite, fearlessly courting controversy, until love and fortune align.”
If you didn’t know of the book’s legacy or influence, Julian Fellowes has previously cited “The Custom of the Country” as a key inspiration for his creative work, including the acclaimed series and film franchise, “Downton Abbey” and Fellowes’ New York City series, “The Gilded Age.”
“Custom of the Country” is heading to the European Film Market (currently underway alongside the Berlin International Film Festival) with Sweeney, Charles Finch (Rabbit’s Foot Films), Monumental Pictures’ Owen, and StudioCanal producing. While StudioCanal is fully financing it, releasing theatrically (those territories mentioned by the outlet, including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, and Benelux), and launching worldwide sales at EFM.
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
