What do you get when you’re an acclaimed filmmaker that writes and directs a Netflix film that earns the streamer a ton of awards, including 6 Oscar nominations? Apparently, if you’re Noah Baumbach and your previous film was “Marriage Story,” you get approximately $80 million and a 7-month shooting schedule to make an adaptation of “White Noise.” While we already knew “White Noise” was in development, it appears that Baumbach is prepping for production to begin this summer and has hired two more actors to join Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig in the film.
According to Harpers Bazaar UK (via Twitter), Baumbach has hired May Nivola and Sam Nivola to play two of the four children of Driver and Gerwig’s characters in “White Noise.” Yes, the actors are real-life siblings. And yes, if you’re observant, you might recognize the last name Nivola from actor Alessandro Nivola. That’s because Alessandro Nivola and actress Emily Mortimer are the parents of Sam and May Nivola, adding some acting pedigree to the young duo.
“White Noise” is based on the classic novel by author Don DeLillo. The story follows a professor of Hitler studies (Driver) and his family as they deal with a disaster known as “The Airborne Toxic Event,” which is the result of a rail car accident that spews toxic gas over the region where the family lives. From there, they’re forced to evacuate and confront their own mortality. Though it might sound very dark and horrific, “White Noise” is still very much a satire, so it’ll be interesting to see how Baumbach is able to juggle the tone of the film.
As mentioned above, “White Noise” is expected to begin production in June and the film will have a 7-month shoot schedule, apparently. Again, that’s what you get when Netflix throws a lot of money your way to make a horror-satire based on a classic novel. So, good for Baumbach. The film doesn’t have a release date, yet.
