Two of the best Irish actors working today, Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley, are said to be in talks to star in Chloe Zhao’s “Hamnet”, per Deadline.
Zhao already has her “Dracula” western in the works. I’m not sure which film comes first for her. Replacing original director Sam Mendes on “Hamnet, Zhao will adapt Maggie O’Farrell prize-winning Novel in what sounds like primo Oscar-bait.
Set against the backdrop of Shakespeare's most famous play, Hamlet, and during the Black Plague in 1580s England, “Hamnet” imagines the story of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, as she grapples with the loss of their only son.
Ever since his breakout role in “Aftersun,” Mescal has been very busy. Alongside Zhao’s film, he’s also set to shoot Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator 2,” and Oliver Hermanus’ “The History of Sound.” Up next for him on the festival circuit is Garth Davis’ “Foe,” which recently completed production.