Today we’ve received news that Jessica Chastain has been offered starring roles in two, upcoming high profile projects. One is a film adaptation of Marcus Sakey’s novel Good People, which is set to star James Franco, and the second is the American remake of the Italian thriller The Double Hour.
Oscar nominated Danish director Henrik Genz will direct Good People, with a script adapted by Kelly Masterson. If Chastain signs on, it will be her second film with co-star James Franco, with the pair working together late last year on Tar, the film made for the class that Franco teaches at NYU.
For those unfamiliar with Good People, check out the plot summary below.
“A couple in debt after a string of unsuccessful fertility treatments, before they find the tenant in the apartment below has passed away and left $400,000 in cash in the building. After taking the money, they become embroiled in the criminal underworld.”
As for The Double Hour, it is being remade by writer/director Joshua Marston, who will be making his second feature-length directorial film here. His debut was with Maria Full Of Grace in 2004. The original Italian version of The Double Hour followed “a Slovenian hotel maid and an ex-cop who fall in love after meeting at a speed-dating event. When they retreat to his employer’s house in the Turin countryside, armed intruders shatter their romantic interlude and throw light on secrets from their pasts.”
It is unclear when either film is set to begin production, but presumably they would both start at some point in 2013. Chastain is currently booked up until February on Broadway with The Heiress, but after that her schedule seems to be free, except for a possible return to the stage next year at some point with the famous play Miss Julie.
We’ll keep you updated on more news as it arises.