Naomi Watts and Claire McCarthy are re-teaming for a new project. Their last venture, a revisionist take on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” told from the perspective of Ophelia, made its world premiere at Sundance in January. Now Watts is set to topline McCarthy’s next feature, mother-daughter drama “Burning Season.” Deadline reports that “It” actress Sophia Lillis will co-star in the project, which will be introduced to buyers at Cannes.
Written by Jenny Halper, the story centers on “primatologist June Engle (Watts) who returns to a drought-stricken region of Madagascar in search of endangered species,” the source summarizes. “Dragged along for the adventure are teenage daughter Celia (Lillis) and a handsome local researcher, Kiady. A complex emotional game of cat and mouse ensues between the three with devastating forest fires on their way.”
The pic is based on Laura Van Den Berg’s short story “What the World Will Look Like When All the Water Leaves Us.”
“This is a beautiful and timely story that raises important questions,” said Watts. “My character June is a formidable and fascinating woman — an extremely accomplished scientist who pushes her young daughter to take a hard look at the tougher aspects of living in the world today.”
Halper developed the project along with Kate Sharp though Sharp’s Daughter Films. Her script landed on the 2016 Black List and the 2015 Athena List. The latter recognizes the best unproduced scripts with female protagonists.
Another Athena list screenplay, Daniel Stiepleman’s “On the Basis of Sex,” is coming to the big screen November 9. Mimi Leder directed the biopic of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Felicity Jones stars. The first footage of the film was just unveiled at CinemaCon in Vegas.
“Ophelia” hasn’t secured U.S. distribution yet. “Star Wars’” Daisy Ridley plays the title role. McCarthy’s other films include “The Waiting City” and “Cross Life.”
“Twin Peaks,” “The Glass Castle,” and “Gypsy” are among Watts’ recent credits. She received Oscar nominations for her roles in “The Impossible” and “21 Grams.”
“Burning Season” is slated to kick off production later this year in South Africa and Madagascar.
