Michiel Huisman from “Game of Thrones” and “Orphan Black” has landed the lead role opposite Teresa Palmer in the psychological thriller “2:22” and he’s also in talks to co-star alongside Natalie Dormer in Focus Features’ supernatural thriller “The Forest,” multiple individuals familiar with both projects have told TheWrap.
Reps for Focus and Huisman did not respond to requests for comment.
Paul Currie is directing “2:22” from an original script by Todd Stein that was later revised by Nathan Parker (“Moon”) and Currie. Benjamin Walker and Armie Hammer were previously attached to star in the indie film.
Story follows Dylan Boyd (Huisman), a man whose life is permanently derailed when an ominous pattern of events repeats itself in exactly the same manner every day, ending at precisely 2:22 pm. When he falls for Sarah (Palmer), a beautiful woman whose life is threatened by these strange events, Dylan must solve the mystery of 2:22 to preserve a love whose second chance has finally come.
“2:22″ is being produced by Pandemonium’s Bill Mechanic, Walk The Walk Entertainment’s Steve Hutensky and Lightstream Pictures’ Currie. Garrett Kelleher of Lightstream and Jackie O’Sullivan will executive produce the movie, which is currently filming in Australia.
As for “The Forest,” acclaimed commercials/music video director Jason Zada is directing the film, which is based on an original idea by Goyer, who’s also producing under his Phantom Four banner along with David Linde’s Lava Bear Films.
“The Forest” is an elevated genre movie set in Japan’s Aokigahara forest where, according to legend, people go to end their lives. Against this backdrop, a young American woman (Dormer) comes in search of her twin sister, who has mysteriously disappeared. Despite everyone’s warnings not to “stray from the path,” she dares to enter the forest to discover the truth about her sister’s fate.
Huisman is making a deal to play a charming traveler who accompanies the protagonist into the forest, though she begins to suspect he had something to do with her sister’s disappearance.
Focus plans to release “The Forest” on January 8, 2016. Lava Bear president Tory Metzger will oversee the production.
Good Universe handled international sales on “2:22” and teamed with Lava Bear to handle international sales on “The Forest.”
In addition to “Game of Thrones” and “Orphan Black,” Huisman has appeared on “Nashville” and “Treme,” and his recent feature credits include “Wild” and “World War Z.” He next co-stars alongside Blake Lively in “The Age of Adeline.”
Huisman is represented by ICM Partners, Authentic Talent and Literary Management and Conway van Gelder Grant.