While we don’t know what the exact definition of “making it” is, we’re pretty sure that once you graduate to working with Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, it’s something to be proud of. And certainly, for rising director Andrew Haigh—the man behind arthouse hit “Weekend,” and the current HBO series “Looking“—he can qualify as having “made it.” Indeed, Rampling and Courtenay will star in “45 Years” from the writer/director. Based on the short story by David Constantine, the story “follows Kate Mercer in the five days leading up to her 45th wedding anniversary. The planning for the party is going well, but then a letter arrives for her husband. The body of his first love has been discovered, frozen and preserved in the icy glaciers of the Swiss Alps. By the time the party is upon them, five days later, there may not be a marriage left to celebrate.” Sounds like tough, potentially great drama. Production starts this spring. [Variety]
Olivia Wilde is making things happen for herself, producing and starring in the thriller “Meadlowland.” Chris Rossi wrote the script, that Reed Morano (cinematographer on “Frozen River,” “Kill Your Darlings,” “Looking” and more) will use for this directorial debut about ” a mom whose son disappears, a jolt that puts her on an unexpected and dangerous path toward acceptance as she seeks out a relationship with a neglected boy and watches it take an unexpected turn.” Production gets underway in July in New York City. [Deadline]
Lastly, “Mad Men” star January Jones will star in the supernatural thriller “The Shuddering.” Penned by David Coggeshall (“The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia“), and set to be directed by George Ratfliff (“Joshua,” “Salvation Boulevard“), the story centers on “a woman who returns to the town where she first began to experience strange visions. Determined to get to the bottom of it, she unravels a mystery that goes back farther than she could imagine.” Lensing begins this summer. [THR]
