The Weinstein Company is on the verge of securing a North American deal for Garth Davis’ Mary Magdalene biopic, with Rooney Mara eyed for the leading role.
Deadline has the scoop, noting that negotiations are underway regarding the religious feature. Should a deal fall into place, it’ll mark the latest collaboration between The Weinstein Company and See-Saw Films, following in the wake of Macbeth and Tom Hooper’s award-winning drama, The King’s Speech.
As for Davis and Mara, Mary Magdalene could potentially pave the way for a reunion between the pair, after recently wrapping up work on international drama Lion. Indeed, one fleeting glimpse at the actress’ slate reveals a jam-packed schedule over the next two-to-three years, with roles in Una, The Secret Scripture, Terrence Malick’s new and currently untitled film and the anticipated animation Kubo and the Two Strings all incubating in various stages of development.
Plus, if Mara’s dedication to her craft in David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo is any indication, the Oscar-nominated actress is perhaps the perfect fit to portray a figure who many consider to be one of the most misunderstood characters in human history. Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett are penning the script for Garth Davis’ biblical biopic, which has been tentatively placed for a release at some point in 2017.
Garth Davis’ “authentic and humanistic” Mary Magdalene biopic is slowing beginning to pick up steam, with the director intending to usher the film before the cameras during the summer. Rooney Mara, meanwhile, can currently be seen opposite Cate Blanchett in Oscar frontrunner, Carol.