What’s next for Yorgos Lanthimos after “Bugonia,” his remake of the 2003 South Korean film “Save The Green Planet!,” hits theaters on November 7? No, it’s not his long-rumored adaptation of Ottessa Moshfegh‘s 2018 novel “My Year Of Rest And Relaxation.” Instead, The Film Stage reports it may be Lanthimos’ take on Jean-Patrick Manchette‘s “Fatale.”
That’s awesome news, particularly for those familiar with the French crime novelist. A literary legend in his native country, Manchette’s staccato style expertly satirizes post-war Europe, with “Fatale” as one of his greatest feats. One could easily envision Lanthimos’ muse Emma Stone in the starring role: Aimée, a money-hungry assassin, travels to a port town where her machinations against the ruling class lead to a savage showdown. “Fatale” is a sharp, violent, and highly sexualized short novel, so it’s right in Lanthimos’ wheelhouse.
Right now, it’s unclear if “Fatale” is the Greek auteur’s next film or just one of several irons in the fire him. But if it’s next, then James Schamus serves as producer on the project. And if “Fatale” is indeed next in line for Lanthimos, it’ll be the second Manchette adaptation in development. Amazon is already busy prepping Christopher McQuarrie‘s take “Three To Kill” with Colin Firth, about a businessman whose life gets turned upside down when he witnesses a murder.
For those curious about Manchette, be sure to check out Claude Chabrol‘s adaptation of “Nada,” the several Alain Delon vehicles from the ’80s based on his work, and, more recently, Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani‘s stellar genre exercise “Let The Corpses Tan” from 2017.
As for Lanthimos’ “Bugonia,” expect it to bow at Cannes or the Venice Film Festival before its November 7 theatrical release.
