Haters to the back. We called this one. Or at least the Jessica Chastain part because, well, she basically said as much already. During a press conference for "Mama" reporters asked what was next for the "Zero Dark Thirty" actress. "It hasn't been announced but it might be a Strindberg thing. It hasn't been announced yet," she said. Being that many of us understand what that means, we asked, does that mean the adaptation of "Miss Julie" that Ingmar Bergman's muse Liv Ullmann was scheduled to direct? And yes, Chastain essentially confirmed with a physical gesture (much beyond the goofy face of a Matthew Vaughn character actor mind you; and that didn't pan out).
Variety confirms what we assumed. Chastain has replaced Michelle Williams in the lead role, but offers two more tantalizing actors to the cast: Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton.
The movie is an adaptation of August Strindberg's classic Swedish play, a controversial work exploring power, sexuality, class, identity, love and gender set in 1874. Ullmann said in the past that she'd "use Irish actors as servants and British as the masters of the house." Farrell, Irish, check. Morton, English, check. Chastain? Well, she does a mean English accent and she's obviously a super talented and in-demand actress that Ullmann was very wise to get on board this project. That's a big win for her. This will be Chastain's first post-Oscar nominated role and newscoopers and fans should note: Variety says Chastain's been "weighing several offers" as she tries to get her 2013 schedule in order. Perhaps some more exciting casting announcements are to come, but we're glad this one is landing close to her artistic side. Ullmann has been recently directing Cate Blanchett and Joel Edgerton in "A Streetcar Named Desire" so clearly she's on a hot streak with actors.
