As an Oscar-winning actress with more than 20 years of experience in the industry and a directing credit under her belt, Natalie Portman has no doubt been asked for plenty of advice. She’s set to play two professional advice-givers in an upcoming untitled feature that she’s also helming. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the “Annihilation” star will portray both Esther and Pauline Friedman, the identical twin sisters behind the Ann Landers and Dear Abby columns.
Set to be penned by Katie Robbins (“The Affair”), the drama will tell the story of the late siblings, who “had a bitter professional rivalry but led personal lives that were equal parts competitive, jealous, successful, and loving,” the source details.
Peter Saraf and Dani Melia of Big Beach will produce.
Portman made her feature debut with 2015’s “A Tale of Love and Darkness,” a drama about a boy and his mother set during the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and the early years of the State of Israel. The Hebrew-language film premiered at Cannes and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Portman will debut two new projects at the latest installment of the latter in just a few weeks: “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan,” a drama about an American TV star and a young actor, and “Vox Lux,” which sees her playing a pop star.
Portman won an Oscar for her role as a ballerina in “Black Swan” and also received nods for “Jackie” and “Closer.”
While presenting at this year’s Golden Globes the vocal #TimesUp advocate drew attention to the fact that the Best Director category was comprised solely of male nominees.