It seems "A Separation" director Asghar Farhadi won't have to sweat it in terms of talent for his next film, and first French-language feature. Earlier this year, it was reported he had rounded up "A Prophet" star Tahar Rahim and the luminous Marion Cotillard to topline his picture, but alas the latter has fallen out, but her replacement is nothing to sneeze at.
"The Artist" star and Oscar nominee Bérénice Bejo has stepped into the role, and that's about all we can tell you about the film. Details are being kept under wraps, except that it's being described as a "social thriller" with the project expected to be completed and ready for next spring, which we presume means Farhadi will be headed back to Cannes to premiere his latest work. No reason has been given for Cotillard's departure, but considering shooting on this begins in October, right at the height of the awards season race, and rehearsals are already underway, our guess is that the actress' commitments to doing press for "Rust and Bone" may have fudged the scheduled. It's a disappointment, but Bejo is worthy replacement.
And certainly, with this cast in place, anticipation will still be very high for Farhadi's film, which follows on the critical and audience acclaim for his Oscar-winning "A Separation." You can place this untitled film high on cinephile lists for 2013. [Allocine]
