As the cameras began rolling on Jeff Nichols’ third film, it was announced that Nichols’ muse, Michael Shannon, and many more, have joined the critically acclaimed director’s new film, Mud.
It is no surprise that Shannon has joined Mud, having worked with Nichols on his directional debut, Shotgun Stories, and this year’s smash hit Take Shelter, in which Shannon’s co-star Jessica Chastain, described Shannon and Nichols as “brothers.” Also joining Mud is Sam Shepard, Sarah Paulson, Ray McKinnon, Joe Don Baker and Paul Sparks.
The film will tell the story of:
“Two fourteen-year-old boys who find a criminal named Mud, who will be played by Matthew McConaughey, on an island in the Mississippi. Instead of turning him in to authorities, they provide shelter; his goal is to get back to his true love (Reese Witherspoon) before authorities find him, and they help him out on this quest.”
Shannon has signed on to play Gallen, an uncle to one of the boys, while Sarah Paulson and Ray McKinnon will play the parents of the other child. Shepard will play a recluse named Tom Blankenship and Baker and Sparks will play two characters who are out to take revenge on Mud.
The film is due for release in the last quarter of 2012.