Deadline is reporting that they’ve heard that sources say a few actors are “in talks” to come aboard Wes’ next film Moonrise Kingdom. The current group of actors include Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton. Though these are of course just rumours at this point, Deadline is usually right about such things. No word yet who will play the two 12-year-old leads.
Also provided within their story is a synopsis for the film, with the roles the speculative, aforementioned actors would play. If this synopsis is correct, it would mark Wes’ first overt period film.
Moon Rise Kingdom is set in the 60s. Two young adults fall in love and run away. Leaders in their New England town are sticking the idea that they’ve disappeared and go in search of them. Norton will play a scout leader who brings his charges on a search. Willis is in talks to play the town sheriff who’s also looking, and who is having an affair with the missing girl’s mother, the role McDormand is in talks to play. Murray, a regular in Anderson films, will play the girl’s father, who has his own issues.
It sounds like more of an ensemble film than Anderson’s most recent work, perhaps a bit like Tenenbaums. Deadline’s piece also drops the info that the screenplay was co-written by Darjeeling co-writer and commercial collaborator Roman Coppola. Interestingly they also add a space in the first part of the title, where Production Weekly did not. The film will be produced by Indian Paintbrush and Scott Rudin, both of whom produced Anderson’s last two films.
We will keep you informed if (or when) the cast is confirmed. Production is set to begin in the Spring of next year. You can join the wild speculation in our Yankee Racers thread.
Ah, small-town New England seems the perfect setting for a Wes Anderson film (especially in Autumn), even better in the 1960’s. Very excited about this.