Susanne Bier and Julie Delpy are in talks for two exciting and high-profile projects.

Bier is getting set up to direct Saoirse Ronan in Mary Queen of Scots. Penelope Skinner alongside Michael Hirst are working on the script about the infamous Queen of Scotland, who married her first cousin, who was murdered. Then she got involved with the guy who was accused of putting the murder together which led to an uprising and imprisonment in Loch Leven Castle. She also attempted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth which led to her eventual execution. It was announced over a year ago that Ronan would star and there’s no word on when this may begin shooting.

There’s another film about the queen, Mary, Queen of Scots premiering at TIFF next month. Bier has completed the Jennifer Lawrence starring, Serena, which is still awaiting a release date. She’s also developing an adaptation of This Beautiful Life and re-teaming with Lawrence on The Rules of Inheritance. 

Julie Delpy is closing a deal with HBO Films to adapt Marisa Acocella Marchetto’s memoir Cancer Vixen: A True Story with Cate Blanchett to star. Blanchett will play Marchetto, a magazine cartoonist who has a fabulous life in New York City. She’s about to get married when she discovers a lump in her breast. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, she must reexamine her life through her art and humor.

Blanchett alongside Maven Pictures’ Trudy Styler and Celine Rattray will executive produce. Delpy was last seen in Before Midnight (which she also co-wrote) and is getting awards buzz for her performance.