Helen Mirren to star as Patricia Highsmith in Ripley-esque thriller ‘Switzerland’ for director Anton Corbijn and Film Nation: EFM Hot Package
Exclusive: Oscar winner Helen Mirren is set to play famous author Patricia Highsmith in a new film Switzerlandwhose plot would mirror one of the Tom Ripley novels for which the American novelist was most famous.
Filmmaker and renowned music video director Antoine Corbijn, whose credits include control, A most wanted people and americanis on board to direct the film, which Film Nation will launch for global sales at next week’s EFM
inside SwitzerlandHighsmith’s late-life solitude in the Swiss Alps is interrupted by Edward, a young literary agent sent by the author’s relentless publishing company to persuade him to write a final novel in his popular Ripley series (which includes the classic). The genius Mr. Ripley) Highsmith uses his famous macabre imagination to scare Edward, but before they know it, a collaboration begins, leaving the world indistinguishable from their own.
Produced by Gabby Tana (Philomena), Troy Lum (Water diviner) and Andrew Mason (Water diviner) for Brouhaha Entertainment and Jim Robison and Kurt Martin for Lunar Pictures. Filming is scheduled to take place this year in Europe, with additional casting ongoing.
The script is from Melbourne-based playwright, screenwriter and novelist Joanna Murray-Smith, based on her play of the same name. The film will mark the first narrative feature for Corbijn since the 2015 biopic the lifeStarring Robert Pattinson.
American writer Highsmith, called the “poet of horror”, is best known for his psychological thrillers, including the novel Ripley. stranger on the train And Price of saltwhich becomes carol On the screen. His work has been adapted for the screen dozens of times.
the queen Star Mirren is coming off Yellowstone The spinoff would appear in 1923 and later barbie, Fast X and the Berlin Film Festival biopic Golda. Brouhaha, starring Kate Winslet, is producing Lee About Lee Miller and period drama Firebrand With Alicia Vikander and Jude Law.
The producers told us: “We were very impressed by Joanna’s brilliant script and when we shared it with Anton Corbijn, he was immediately excited and shared our enthusiasm for this character-driven thriller. Anton has such wonderful eyes, and strong central performances in all his films, which makes him a perfect fit Switzerland, a story that at its heart is a thrilling sparring match between two beautifully drawn characters. We are thrilled to have the powerful Helen Mirren as Patricia Highsmith: she will be perfect for Highsmith’s mixture of icy menace and her monstrosity and vulnerability.”
FilmNation Entertainment CEO Glen Basner added: “Patricia Highsmith and Tom Ripley are box office gold. We are thrilled to be working again with the amazing Anton Corbzin and our friends at Brouhaha on this smart, thrilling and seductive film. Audiences will love seeing Helen Mirren bring Highsmith to life.
Mirren is replaced by CAA. Corbijn is repped by the Independent. Murray-Smith is represented by 42 MPs.
