After some downtime following the poorly received (though cult favorite) “Speed Racer,” the Wachowskis have come roaring back, and if anything, their ambition has only grown larger with time. As you already know, they are hard at work with Tom Tykwer on the time-spanning, sprawling, “Cloud Atlas,” but just this fall, another project sprang to life. “Jupiter Ascending” suddenly appeared on the horizon, touted as the directing duo’s next film, and indeed, they are moving full steam ahead.
24 Frames has the latest update on the project, and the Wachowskis are looking to their pal, Natalie Portman, to take a role in the movie, the plot of which is still under wraps. The original plan was to shoot the movie as early as this spring, but clearly still busy with “Cloud Atlas,” the directors are now looking at the fall to get things rolling and are willing wait longer if Portman wants to spend more time with her son, Aleph. This isn’t the first time the trio have talked about working together, as Portman appeared in the Wachowski-produced “V For Vendetta” and was initially slotted for a small role in “Cloud Atlas” before her pregnancy kiboshed her role in the movie.
But timing could be an issue. “Thor 2” already has a November 15, 2013 release date and it’s pretty likely it will shoot this fall, and with Portman contracted to appear, that will take priority no matter what anybody wants. Regardless, Portman gets movies greenlit and financed and the Wachowkis will probably wait to get their leading lady. As for Portman, it could be an actual return to a real role after she spends a few months doing reactions shots and making dewy eyes at Thor in whatever Marvel slaps together for the sequel.