Natalie Portman, Nicholas Hoult and Thandie Newton are the latest names to join the ensemble cast of “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan.”
The actors will appear alongside Kit Harington, Jessica Chastain, Susan Sarandon, Kathy Bates, Taylor Kitsch and Michael Gambon, who were all previously named to appear in the first English-language film by award-winning actor/writer/director Xavier Dolan.
“From ‘Crash’ to ‘Closer,’ Besson’s ‘Professional,’ ‘About A Boy,’ ‘Skins ‘and more recently ‘Mad Max,’ Natalie, Thandie and Nicholas have always inspired me, and helped define what I like and find exciting in acting,” the “Mommy” filmmaker said in a statement Tuesday. “So there is an almost karmic peculiarity to knowing I’ll be working with them next.
“They’re completing a list of talents whom I believe are very rare, and even rarer together. I’m excited to tell this story with them. Never has a film been so important to me, especially because its subject, diversity and identity in film, has never felt so real, and dire,” he continued.
“We are delighted to share these exciting casting developments ahead of Berlin,” Anick Poirier, Senior Vice President, Sales, Seville International, said. “The incredible talent attached to this film gets better and better, which speaks to Xavier’s brilliance and momentum internationally.”
“Donovan” is described as a drama that follows a young actor who recalls the secretive correspondence he shared as a teenager with an American TV star who died 10 years earlier. The story explores the hardships of fame and the never-ending hurdles of the movie business, and reflects on issues of identity and diversity in Hollywood over the past decade.
Harington will play the title character, while Chastain co-stars as the editor-in-chief of a gossip magazine.
Adele has also agreed to cameo in the film, which is expected to start shooting in the spring.
Dolan will produce “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan” with his Sons Of Manual producing partner Nancy Grant and Lyse Lafontaine of Lyla Films. Joe Iacono will serve as executive producer. CAA is handling U.S. rights, while Entertainment One’s Seville International is handling foreign rights.
Dolan is the wunderkind director of “Mommy,” “Tom at the Farm” and “Laurence Anyways.” His next film, “It’s Only the End of the World,” stars Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel.
Dolan is repped by CAA and LBI Entertainment. Portman is represented by CAA and Law Offices of George Sheanshang. Hoult is represented by UTA, 42 and Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson. Newton is represented by WME.