Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig and Elle Fanning have joined the cast of Mike Mills’ family drama, “20th Century Women,” Annapurna Pictures announced Thursday.
Mills (“Beginners”) wrote the screenplay and will direct the new film, which Megan Ellison is producing through Annapurna alongside Anne Carey of Archer Gray and Youree Henley. Annapurna’s Chelsea Barnard will serve as executive producer.
Set in Santa Barbara during the summer of 1979, the film follows Dorothea Fields, a mother who is trying her best to raise her teenage son. As she tries to navigate through life and love, Dorothea looks for answers from two other women in her life, each from a different area of the 20th Century. These different perspectives help set Jamie on the right course.
“These three characters are all women that I knew growing up” said Mills. “I’m thrilled to have Annette, Greta and Elle, three incredible actresses who will bring an authenticity and vulnerability to each of these very strong, funny and complicated roles.”
Filming is set to begin later this year in Southern California.
Fanning is best known for her role as Aurora in “Maleficent,” as well as “Super 8” and “We Bought a Zoo.” She also stars in the upcoming “Three Generations” opposite Naomi Watts and Susan Sarandon. Fanning is represented by WME.
Bening has notably been nominated for four Academy Awards, most recently for her lead role in Focus Features’ “The Kids Are All Right.” She is also best known for her role in the 1999 movie, “American Beauty.” She is represented by CAA.
Gerwig has starred in movies like “No Strings Attached” and recently co-wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed “Frances Ha” for IFC Films, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe. Gerwig is represented by UTA.