It was reported last week that Jennifer Lawrence, having taken time off from acting, would be returning to lead a new, untitled project for A24. Acclaimed theatre director Lila Neugebauer will be directing the film as her feature debut. At the time, plot details and who would be potentially starring alongside Lawrence were under wraps. But that has changed.
Collider reports that Brian Tyree Henry has been offered the role opposite Lawrence. The Atlanta star has not yet signed the deal, and discussions are still in the early stages, but he is reportedly the studio’s choice.
The film will find Lawrence playing a U.S. soldier who suffers a traumatic brain injury in Afghanistan and struggles to recover when back home. The script has been written by first-time screenwriter Elizabeth Sanders. There’s no word yet on who Henry may be potentially playing, but sources are guessing it could be Lawrence’s commanding officer, or perhaps her therapist back home.
With a few plot details now available, this project makes sense as a return for Lawrence. She’s been intrigued by the idea of doing a war-themed film for some time. At one point, she was attached to play photojournalist Lynsey Addario, who risked her life in war zones, in Steven Spielberg‘s adaptation of Addario’s memoir.
Henry has broken out on the silver screen over the last year, having had roles in a number of superb films. He appeared in If Beale Street Could Talk, Widows, and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. He’s also set for roles in fascinating upcoming films, such as Todd Phillips‘ Joker, the thriller The Woman In The Window, and Legendary’s monster team-up, Godzilla vs. Kong.
This project sounds very interesting, especially coming from a first-time screenwriter and director in Sanders and Neugebauer, respectively. Neugebauer made her Broadway debut last year directing the revival of Kenneth Lonergan‘s The Waverly Gallery, which starred Elaine May and Lucas Hedges.
Production on the film is expected to start in June in New Orleans.
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