Zoe Saldana has signed on to star in the sports drama Fencer. Jasmine McGlade is directing from her own script, while Casey Affleck is producing.
The film is inspired by McGlade’s own experiences as a national champion fencer. As an athlete, she concluded her tenure at Harvard University by leading her team to the school’s first-ever NCAA Championship title in fencing.
Saldana will play an ambitious female athlete fighting personal demons and childhood rivals as she battles for a spot on the U.S. olympic fencing team.
“As a writer and filmmaker I seek to tell brazen, character-driven stories about people who are flawed, and thus real – especially women”, McGlade said in a statement. “Fencer is a celebration of perseverance and sacrifice, while also a cautionary tale about the dangers of getting one’s sense of worth and security solely through achievement and external validation”.
The rights to the film will be sold at next week’s European Film Market. Considering Saldana’s appeal – having starred in multiple Marvel and Star Trek movies, and currently filming James Cameron‘s Avatar sequels – it should be an easy sell. McGlade’s statement is exciting, implying that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill sports drama simply revolving around winning and honour.
Affleck is producing alongside Whitaker Lader. The duo previously teamed up on Light Of My Life and Mona Fastvold‘s The World To Come. McGlade is also producing with Claudia Bluemhuber of Silver Reel, who is also financing. Imagine Entertainment will executive produce.
#Peace.Love.Fencer
