Jessica Chastain is set to portray an icon of the silver screen. The two-time Oscar-nominated actress will topline and produce “Seducing Ingrid Bergman,” Deadline reports. Chastain will play the Swedish actress in the romance. The news broke at Cannes.
Written by Arash Amel (“Grace of Monaco”), the project centers on the relationship between the “Casablanca” star and Robert Capa, an acclaimed Hungarian war photographer. Their romance “began in Paris immediately following WWII, and moved to Hollywood at the time of the McCarthy Communist witch hunts,” the source summarizes.
“Seducing Ingrid Bergman” has already secured financing from YRF Entertainment. Kelly Carmichael, the president of production and development at Chastain’s Freckle Films, will oversee the project.
A director hasn’t signed on yet. Given Chastain’s commitment to supporting female filmmakers, we’re confident that women directors are among those being considered for the gig.
“We are thrilled to be working with YRF and Arash Amel on ‘Seducing Ingrid Bergman.’ This is a captivating story about a deeply moving romance between two remarkable people,” said Chastain and Carmichael.
YRF chief executive officer Uday Chopra described Chastain as “the perfect actress to star in ‘Seducing Ingrid Bergman.’” He explained, “Jessica is no stranger to portraying strong, intelligent women and this role deserves an actress of her immeasurable talent. We also feel that she will bring a unique perspective as a producer.”
Bergman’s credits include “Notorious” and “Spellbound.” The three-time Academy Award winner died in 1982.
Chastain earned Oscar nods for “Zero Dark Thirty” and “The Help.” You can catch her in Niki Caro’s “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” now in theaters. The drama is based on a true story and centers on zookeepers who saved hundreds of lives during the Holocaust. The “Miss Sloane” actress’ upcoming projects include Susanna White’s Native American period drama “Woman Walks Ahead” and “Painkiller Jane,” an adaptation of the graphic novel series of the same name about a former police officer turned vigilante.
