Benedict Cumberbatch and Elisabeth Moss have signed on to star in Jane Campion‘s next film. The Piano and In The Cut director will adapt the Thomas Savage novel, The Power Of The Dog. She has penned the script herself, with Cross City Films expected to make the film available for purchase later this month at the Cannes Film Festival.
The book revolves around wealthy Montana brothers Phil and George Burbank. The former is brilliant but cruel, while the latter is very detail-orientated and gentle. Together they own the biggest ranch in their Montana valley. But when George secretly marries a local widow named Rose, a vindictive Phil begins a relentless war on her, using her son Peter as a pawn.
“The Power of the Dog is a sublime novel that deserves a life on the big screen. I couldn’t stop thinking about the story, it really haunted me. The themes of masculinity, nostalgia and betrayal are an intoxicating mix”, Campion said. “It’s also rare to find a story where the themes, the plot and the characters build tension as they reveal each other and even the end is satisfying and unexpected”.
This will mark the first time Campion has worked with a male lead. Cumberbatch is coming off a role in Avengers: Endgame, and just finished filming Sam Mendes‘ WWI drama 1917.
Moss also recently starred in an acclaimed film, Jordan Peele‘s Us, while she also put in a towering performance in Alex Ross Perry‘s Her Smell. She has crime drama The Kitchen lined up for later this year.
Pairing Cumberbatch and Moss in a riveting drama, all helmed by Campion, sounds like a clear recipe for success. Moss and Campion have already worked together on Top Of The Lake, which has garnered critical acclaim. Expectations should be high for this. The film will head into pre-production at the end of the year.
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