Back in February, news broke that Al Pacino and Jessica Chastain would star in “Lear Rex,” based on the Bard’s “King Lear.” That’s exciting enough, but details on the upcoming film’s supporting cast and this ensemble is a doozy. And given the plethora of big names here, it’s safe to expect Bernard Rose‘s film to be one of 2025 or 2026’s most anticipated films.
READ MORE: Jessica Chastain & Al Pacino To Star In New ‘Lear, Rex’ Shakespeare Adaptation
Here’s a breakdown of the project’s recent castings: Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose leads the new additions with Emmy winners Rachel Brosnahan and Peter Dinklage, and Oscar nominee LaKeith Stanfield. Other additions include Chris Messina, Ted Levine, Danny Huston, Matthew Jacobs, Rhys Coiro, and Stephen Dorff. All told, that’s ten new castings, with more potentially on the way. It appears Rose’s adaptation is off to a good start.
But who do the new cast members play in “Lear Rex”? For those not familiar with Shakespeare’s play (one of his best, if not the best), here’s a brief synopsis: “In Lear Rex, an aging King divides his land between his three daughters to prevent future conflict. But he rejects the young daughter who loves him and places his trust in her malevolent sisters, who strip him of his power and condemn him to a wretched wasteland of horror and insanity.” Pacino and Chastian play Lear and Goneril, respectively, but here’s who everyone else plays. DeBose stars as Cordelia, Brosnahan as Regan, Dinklage as the Fool, Huston as Albany, Messina as Cornwall, Stanfield as Edmund, Levine as Kent, Jacobs as Gloucester, Coiro as Oswald, and Dorff as Poor Tom.
“Lear Rex” marks Pacino’s fifth collaboration with producer Barry Navidi, who also produced the 2004 adaptation of “The Merchant of Venice.” Navidi also produced “Wilde Salomé,” “Salomé,” and Johnny Depp‘s “Modi,” which also stars Pacino. And Rose has another Navidi regular, casting director Sharon Howard-Field, to thank for this star-studded ensemble. “Lear Rex” will be a co-production between Navidi, Mattias Westman via Westman Films, Eco Entertainment, Dali Films, and World Vision. CAA Media Finance will handle the film’s US distribution rights.
“It is enormously exciting to get the opportunity to work with this extraordinary cast that Al, Barry, and Sharon have put together to tackle this radical but accessible adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest play,” Rose said in a press statement. Navidi followed up with his own comments, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Bernard Rose. His artistic vision, combined with a talented ensemble cast of players led by Al Pacino, promises to take us on a remarkable and unforgettable cinematic experience. We are merging the worlds of Shakespeare and Hollywood. This marks the commencement of an exciting new chapter, one that Al has poured his heart and soul into. It is a privilege for me to join forces with my dear friend once more, and to contribute to his enduring legacy.”
“Lear Rex” starts shooting in LA later this month on August 12, so it’s safe to expect this one will be a 2025 theatrical release. Stay tuned on that, however.