‘The Life & Deaths Of Wilson Shedd’: Amanda Seyfried & Scoot McNairy Tapped For Prison Break Thriller Directed By Tim Blake Nelson

Tim Blake Nelson is set to make a grand return to directing after a decade hiatus with “The Life & Deaths of Wilson Shedd” as filming is currently taking place in Georgia with Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”) and Scoot McNairy (“Killing Them Softly”) set in lead roles for the prison break thriller.

In the new drama, Seyfried will play a teacher who falls in love with a maximum security prison inmate after taking a job there, and is also experiencing an abusive marriage that compels her toward the charismatic prisoner.

READ MORE: ‘Enemies’: Jeremy Allen White & Austin Butler Officially Set For A24 Crime Saga From Henry Dunham

The logline for the upcoming prison flick, as mentioned by Deadline:

“A teacher in an abusive marriage who takes a job at a maximum security prison, where she falls for a charismatic inmate. The disastrous consequences call into question not only the nature of punishment and retribution, but the very limits of our humanity.”

“I feel deeply fortunate to be able to tell this story with such an extraordinary lead cast,” Nelson said in an official statement posted by the outlet. “I have always admired Amanda, and getting to work with her on Mona Fastvold’s film “Ann Lee” last summer confirmed for me what an extraordinary person she is, aside from her talent. As for Scoot, it’s great to be able to offer him such a demanding part. No one has seen him do what he’s about to accomplish in this role. It will be magnificent to be on set with these two performers.”

The producing team consists of Julie Buck, Nelson, Ryan Bartecki, Miles David Romney, and Billy Hines, with Christopher Hines and Gary Levinsohn set as exec producers. Co Created Media, V42, and Nelson’s Red Barn Films banner are also behind the pic, with WME handling domestic sales.

McNairy, of course, is known for showing up in a heap of different films and television shows, with recent appearances in films such as “A Complete Unknown,” “Nightbitch,” “Speak No Evil,” and “Blonde.”

Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.

Nelson is likely best known to most audiences for his stellar acting work, but has been directing since the 1990s with the 1997 film “Eye of God,” with follow-up efforts such as the ensemble Holocaust drama “The Grey Zone,” “Leaves of Grass,” and “Anesthesia.”