Looks like TIFF 2015 is going to be a victory dance for writer-director Lorene Scafaria. Sony Pictures Classics has bought the rights to “The Meddler,” Scafaria’s follow up to her directorial debut “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World,” in advance of its world premiere at the festival.
“The Meddler” stars Susan Sarandon as Marnie Minervini, an overbearing but well-meaning mother to Lori (Rose Byrne). When Marnie’s husband dies, Marnie decides to move to LA to be with Lori, who has long struggled to establish boundaries with her mother.
Sarandon is in fact premiering two women-directed films at TIFF this year: “The Meddler” and Gaby Dellal’s “About Ray.” In the latter, the Oscar winner plays the titular transgender character’s lesbian grandma. It’s been a busy year for the “Thelma & Louise” star, with highlights including exec-producing “Radical Grace,” Rebecca Parrish’s doc about feminist nuns, and starting production on the new Epix series “Graves,” where she’ll play a former First Lady. “Graves” marks Sarandon’s first time as a series regular on a television series.
Byrne last appeared onscreen in “Spy” alongside Melissa McCarthy.
“The Meddler” will receive a theatrical run. No word on when that will happen just yet.
[via The Hollywood Reporter]