Celine Song’s “Past Lives” was all the rage at Sundance 2023. Whatever Song did next was going to be met with a lot of anticipation, especially by critics who have been nothing but consistent in their overwhelming praise for “Past Lives.”
Last fall, A24 hopped on-board Song’s next film. I had originally reported that her sophomore effort would be titled “Materialists”. She’s already written the script and A24 is backing it. It was supposed to shoot in September, but A24 decided to stand strong with the SAG-AFTRA strike, despite having the go-ahead to shoot the film.
Now, we know who might star in “Materialists.” Deadline is reporting that Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal (him again) and Chris Evans are circling the project which is supposed to be shot this Spring. There is also a rumored sales launch at the European Film Market in Berlin.
In a recent interview with GQ, Song and producer Christine Vachon were very hush-hush about “Materialists”, stingy with details, but Vachon offered us a hint as to what to expect: “It feels like she makes a different movie every time, that she’s going to be the kind of a filmmaker who doesn’t make the same movie twice.”
There’s no need to leave this a mystery. I know what “Materialists” is about, and it couldn’t be further connected to “Past Lives.” Vachon is right, Song is making a totally different film.
It turns out that “Materialists” is a romcom inspired by James L. Brooks’s whip-smart films from the ‘80s (“Broadcast News,” “Terms of Endearment”). A formula that hasn’t aged that well in the 21st century. Here’s the synopsis:
Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, a city that never sleeps and is known for its diverse and dynamic relationships, “Materialists” provides a unique glimpse into the lives of the city’s elite. Lucy’s expertise in matchmaking is highly sought after by those willing to pay a premium for her services. However, the film hints at complications that arise, leading to a toxic love triangle that threatens to unravel the lives of all involved.
Deadline is trying to fan the flames by implying that, despite this being a rom-com, they’re hearing really positive things about this one, from buyers who are “sparking to the material”.
Some saw the genre as a risky change of direction for Song after “Past Lives,” but the buyers we’ve spoken to are into it and it will be one of the buzz packages of the market.
This is a fairly risky move on the part of Song, going from “Past Lives” to romcom territory, but maybe it’ll work? Maybe we can expect this one in late 2024? More likely, it’ll premiere at Sundance 2025.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.