Tessa Thompson and Lily James have signed on to topline “Little Woods,” Nia DaCosta’s feature directorial debut. The two actresses will play sisters in the indie film, Deadline reports.
Described as a modern Western, “Little Woods” follows “Ollie (Thompson) and Deb (James), who are driven to work outside the law to better their lives. For years, Ollie has illicitly helped the struggling residents of her North Dakota oil boomtown access Canadian health care and medication. When the authorities catch on, she plans to abandon her crusade, only to be dragged in even deeper after a desperate plea for help from her sister.”
The plot hits a little too close to home with the future of Obamacare uncertain.
DaCosta penned the script for “Little Woods.” She has written and directed projects for film, the stage, and new media platforms, including the short “Night and Day.”
Based on what Thompson has said about how she chooses roles, it sounds as though Ollie is a great character for her. “Even while I’m really interested in playing female characters that are varied and interesting and dynamic, I’m not of the mind that you always want to play strong female characters,” Thompson explained. “I think I just want to play characters that are interesting, and not all people are ‘strong.’”
We agree with Thompson’s analysis. What’s important is that female characters are multidimensional, not that they are constantly kicking ass or serving as perfect moral examples. (Besides, “strong” is such a nebulous term — strong in what way?)
Thompson’s credits include “Westworld,” “Creed,” and “Dear White People.” She has two high-profile projects coming up — the newest installment of the “Thor” franchise, “Thor: Ragnarok,” and “Annihilation,” a sci-fi thriller with an amazing cast. Thompson is joined by Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and “Jane the Virgin’s” Gina Rodriguez.
James will be familiar to “Downton Abbey” fans. She played Lady Rose MacClare in the period drama. She’s also starred in Disney’s live-action “Cinderella,” BBC One’s miniseries “War & Peace,” and “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.”
