Arya Stark has her vision back on “Game of Thrones,” and Maisie Williams has her eyes set on a new project. ScreenDaily reports that “The Falling” actress will star in Kate Maberly’s directorial debut, YA thriller “The Forest of Hands and Teeth.” While the feature marks Maberly’s first time behind the camera, she’s spent a lot of time in front of it — her acting credits include “Finding Neverland,” where she played Wendy, and the FX series “The Booth at the End.”
Maberly is also penning the script, which is based on the first installment of a book trilogy by Carrie Ryan. The post-apocalyptic zombie tale centers on Mary (Williams), who hopes to travel outside the fence that surrounds her village. “Prevented from leaving by the authoritarian Sisterhood and the terrors of the Unconsecrated that lurk beyond the perimeter, Mary uncovers the secrets at the heart of her community that threaten to destroy the fragile peace,” writes ScreenDaily.
Embankment Films will sell “The Forest of Hands and Teeth” at the Cannes film market, The Marché du Film, later this month. The project is currently in pre-production and filming is expected to kick off early 2017 in Romania.
“‘The Forest of Hands and Teeth is that rare project — smart, commercial, and original. ‘Forest’ combines the hugely commercial premise of Carrie Ryan’s bestselling young adult novel with the coolness of Euro chic and the intelligence of Umberto Eco’s ‘The Name of the Rose,’” commented Doug Liman, the film’s producer. He added, “Kate’s passion and drive reminds me of myself when I had secured the rights to ‘The Bourne Identity’ and nothing was going to stop me from directing it. The particular and intentional dynamic of a female director, female star, and female adversary will only enhance this truly unique movie.”